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Darius Boyd can still play Origin: Hunt

Queensland's Darius Boyd celebrates scoring a try during 2013 State of Origin Game 2

Brisbane halfback Ben Hunt has backed teammate Darius Boyd to retain his Queensland Origin spot as he nears his NRL comeback.

Boyd, who suffered an achilles tendon injury in the pre-season, could be back in Broncos colours as early as Friday night against Penrith after training strongly in a full-contact session on Monday at Red Hill.

The official line from Brisbane is that Boyd is a “week-to-week” proposition and it is anticipated the joint-ladder leaders will take a cautious approach with the 27-year-old.

NRL LADDER 2015

The Broncos play three more times before Origin game one in Sydney on May 27, and Hunt believes Boyd may only need one solid NRL performance to prove to Queensland selectors he is worthy of a call-up.

“If he can get one good game under his belt and get through it fit and clear, I think he’ll be right,” Hunt said.

“He’s the type of player, he works hard, he’s done everything right off the ball, he’s fit, he’s done a job for them for a long time.

“He’s doing pretty much everything at the moment and he says he’s feeling good.

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“Whether he’s cleared to play yet or not, I’m not too sure.”

While Boyd is an outside chance of facing the injury-hit Panthers, fellow fullback Jordan Kahu is considered the more likely to return this weekend, having missed the last month due to a hamstring strain.

Hunt said the Broncos are in a good space, sitting pretty on top of the ladder with key players returning from injury and others, like Kangaroos forwards Sam Thaiday and Corey Parker, in strong form.

Despite playing in a losing side in Sunday’s Anzac Test, Thaiday and Parker were among Australia’s better players against New Zealand.

“Hopefully they can freshen up this week and do it all again for us,” Hunt said.

“At the moment it’s looking really good for us.

“We’ve come out in a really good position when we got to the break… it’s been one of the most intense eight games for me, I know it took a big toll on a lot of the boys as well.

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“Everyone’s really working hard for each other, moreso than I think they have in the past.”

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