Queensland fullback Darius Boyd says he would have happily switched to the wing to accommodate legendary custodian Billy Slater.
Writing for Fox Sports on the eve of State of Origin I – Boyd admitted he may have to switch back to the flank in the future.
“I honestly thought Billy would be back for Queensland and I’d move to the wing again, I was happy to do that,” Boyd said.
“I’d be happy to do it again in the future too, and I expect I will have to make room for someone I consider a good mate somewhere down the line.
“Billy’s a legend of Queensland rugby league and I expect will be back at rep level at some point.
“But I take a lot of confidence out of Kevin Walters and the selectors backing me to do the job at fullback.
“And if I’m honest, I don’t want to give up that jersey again. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t mind.
#NRLOnThisDay – 29/05/1991:
Michael O'Connor for the win!#Origin pic.twitter.com/PId3ocIHXT
— NRL (@NRL) May 29, 2017
“It’s one of the game’s double edged swords.”
A Maroons loss in front of their own fans in Brisbane could cause a major reshuffle including the return of Slater.
It’s now up to his mate Boyd and others to make sure that doesn’t happen.