Boyd should quit: Moore

FORMER Queensland player Billy Moore wants Darius Boyd to consider retirement to help the Broncos free up funds to stave off poaching raids on Brisbane’s hulking Keebra Park product David Fifita.

Cashed-up NRL rivals are poised to pick the eyes out of Brisbane’s star-studded roster, with Parramatta and the Warriors preparing big-money raids for Fifita, who made his Queensland debut in June.

The Broncos did well to upgrade Matt Lodge and Tevita Pangai Jr last month, but the $4 million retention drive has left the club with limited funds under the salary cap for Fifita.

Brisbane will face fresh retention headaches next season as big-name stars including hooker Andrew McCullough, centre Kotoni Staggs, Anthony Milford and Jack Bird come off contract.

Moore believes one solution lies in skipper Boyd walkBroncos

ing away 12 months early to provide a salary-cap war chest.

Boyd is contracted until the end of 2021, but the 32-yearold captain’s future has come under the microscope following his patchy form this season.

“If Darius stood down, then financially it would give the a lot of money under the cap to keep a kid like David Fifita,” Moore said.

“If Darius can see that his form and his ability to influence matches has declined, he needs to consider retirement.

“When you are earning $700,000 or $800,000 a season, that’s the type of elite money where you dictate whether your team wins a match each week.

“I don’t think Darius is playing well enough to do that.”

Boyd has copped savage criticism in recent weeks since his move from fullback to fiveeighth, but he hit back at his detractors with an improved display in Brisbane’s 24-12 defeat of Penrith on Friday night.

“It would be a noble move by Darius (to retire early),” Moore said. “Should he do it? Maybe he won’t, but if Darius does walk away, I hope he stays on for the Broncos in an off-field capacity because he has been a wonderful servant for the club.”