BLINDSIDED

Boyd admits Slater chatter took surprising Origin toll

DARIUS Boyd says constant speculation over who would wear the Queensland No.1 jersey had taken its toll, revealing he lost his enjoyment of the game as debate raged over whether he or Billy Slater should play at fullback.

Queensland selectors by- passed Slater for Origin I, opting to retain Gold Coast product Boyd at fullback after his outstanding performances for Queensland and Australia over the past year.

But the way the selection played out publicly – with criticism of Slater’s absence from the Game One team – was difficult for both men.

“I wasn’t enjoying my footy, to be honest,” Boyd said when asked whether the constant speculation had taken a toll.

“I’m a bit of a footy fan. I like to watch football, I like to listen to it, hear about it and I found I didn’t enjoy that side of it because there was just too much chat and negativity in a way, which is disappointing.

“I play rugby league because I love the game and I’ve loved it since I was a six-yearold boy. Sometimes we focus on things we don’t really need to focus on or there’s too much hype and talk around things and it can get disappointing.”

But there is no issue between Slater and Boyd.

Slater said: “I understand externally it’s been put up as a Darius versus myself over the last month.

“I was in contact with Darbs (Boyd) post-selection in the first game and even leading into Game One I sent him a message and wished him all the best.

“I told him how confident I was with him in that position and that he deserved it and that a lot of the chat was unwarranted.”

Boyd was grateful for the support from Slater.

“Bill texted me before the first game and we sent a few texts to each other and he was really supportive and I really appreciated that,” Boyd said.

“We haven’t had a chat since. Once he came into camp I asked him how the family is and what’s going on and we’re mates.

“There’s nothing that me or Bill had done, it was all the media and fans speculation.

“Obviously Kevvie made the decision (to play me at fullback for Game One) and made a different decision this time.

“We just want to support the team and do a job.”

Slater said both he and Boyd wanted what was best for Queensland.