The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Who fills Boyd's gap for the Maroons?

Dane Gagai might play for an outgunned side, but he still does freakish things. (AAP Image/Action Photographics, Colin Whelan)
Roar Guru
21st April, 2015
24

When Darius Boyd went down at Broncos training before the season even kicked off, all Queensland backs were put on notice to stake their claim for the coveted Maroon jersey.

Seven rounds into the NRL season a few contenders have emerged for that vacant spot.

Here are the best candidates so far.

Dane Gagai
Dane Gagai appears the most obvious choice to directly replace Boyd. He has been in the Maroons system for a few years, being groomed to take over from players like Brent Tate and Boyd when they called time on their illustrious careers.

Only 24, Gagai seems a perfect choice as one of the next generation of Maroons.

Michael Morgan
Michael Morgan is another man who has been in the Maroons system for a while, but his selection comes with a few asterisks.

First of all, it would require a backline reshuffle – Billy Slater would have to be moved back to the wing to allow Morgan to play his natural fullback. Unfortunately, Morgan does not play fullback regularly.

This would be a bold selection, but with the fantastic form Morgan is in, may not be a bad one.

Advertisement

Valentine Holmes
Valentine Holmes has a huge chance to be the first player to be selected in senior State of Origin the year after playing under 20s Origin.

Holmes has been fantastic in this his first real season of NRL, staking a claim on the Sharks’ fullback role ahead of both Ben Barba and Michael Gordon. Holmes is one of the shining lights in a Sharks side that is starting to surprise teams.

Do not be surprised if he is selected to make the step up.

Dale Copley
After a so-so start to his career, Dale Copley has been making strides these past few years, being rewarded with selection in the Kangaroos train-on side last year.

While he didn’t make the final squad, this endorsement plus the 16 tries he scored last year to lead Brisbane’s try-scroing should see him in Mal Meninga’s mind when it comes to selecting a replacement for the injured Boyd.

John Folau
While 20-year-old John Folau is the most inexperienced player on the list, he is already making waves in the NRL as big as his older brother did when he entered the league in 2007.

While Folau is also the least likely on the list to be selected, he is big, strong, fast, a great athlete, and most importantly tough.

Advertisement

There’s a very strong case that he is not yet ready, but if he were selected I would back him.

close