Brisbane Broncos recruit Darius Boyd has snapped his Achilles tendon at training and will spend up to nine months on the sidelines.
It is a bitter setback for the Queensland State of Origin outside back who returned to Red Hill for the 2015 NRL season after stints at St George Illawarra and Newcastle.
Scans have confirmed the injury and Darius will undergo surgery next Tuesday which is expected to sideline the club’s fullback for six to nine months.
The 27-year-old was in his second week of pre-season when the injury occurred about 40 minutes into training.
While the injury is a blow to the club, Chief Executive Paul White said previous injuries of this nature had proven that full recovery was normal.
“The one thing we do know from previous experience – such as with Justin Hodges – is that players return from this injury to full fitness,” said White.
“At this stage are thoughts are only with Darius and helping him get ready for his operation so he can begin his recovery with as much support as possible.”
Broncos Coach Wayne Bennett said the player will receive the best medical treatment.
“It’s the achilles. My initial thought is that’s footy, that’s life, we get on with it,” Bennett said.
“I just saw Darius on the ground, he’s done his achilles, so that’s the bottom line, it’s a six-month injury and we have to get on with life.
“They were just doing a simple training drill, we call them shuttles, and Darius did a turn and that’s as simple as it will be. It’s no-one’s fault, it just happens.
“There’s nothing we can do now. If you do enough training in life, things like that will happen.”
“We have a team of players, it’s no dramas. I wish it didn’t happen but it’s happened,” he said.
“Halfway through the season he will be back playing for us, we’ll manage it while he’s away and get on with life.”
The club is making no further comment on the matter and will get on with pre-season training.
Boyd was in his first week of training after spending time in a mental health clinic to treat depression. He didn’t play the final portion of the season with Newcastle because of this.
Boyd followed mentor Wayne Bennett back to Brisbane where he was to assume the fullback position.
Now it appears Brisbane’s plans of playing fellow recruit Anothony Milford in the halves are shot, and he will have to take up the fullback spot. Brisbane are likely ruing the losses of Josh Hoffman and Ben Barba, the former to Gold Coast and Barba to Cronulla.
He has been a mainstay on the wing for Queensland for the past seven seasons, racking up 15 tries in 21 games playing outside Greg Inglis.
With AAP
mushi
Roar Guru
I think unless we're playing AFL not a lot of the country juniors are going to be from the dairy. ;)
mushi
Roar Guru
Well to be fair Andrew your original post was more coherent than some of my typing, bad luck for both your brothers to snap their Achilles!
mushi
Roar Guru
And his legs turned 58 this year.
mushi
Roar Guru
No point working on fine skills before your stamina is there
Jay C
Roar Guru
Hodges also made sure we lost that finals game against Cowboys. You don't need your fullback pushing your hooker out of the way at the play the ball unless they have a plan. He lost the plot in the last 5. What if Hunt had sparked something and needed a support player. The fullback is over at dummy half.
Jay C
Roar Guru
I'm not a fan of swapsydoosies though. I reckon you confuse yourself more than anything. Plus I really don't want to lose the Nikorima boys which may happen if at least one doesn't see some game time. Perfect opportunity to give Kodi a run at FB. Eden concerns me, and it's all because of Browns "English Billy" comment. Anyone who is called the something of something isn't really the anything of anything.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Actually a Chef by trade WDD. Manage an Oil Rig Camp up in the highlands of PNG now but.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
He might be thinking he needs to stick to centre to avoid getting a tap on the shoulder after his contracts up. To be fair he said he could cover the attacking role from FB no problem. He just wouldn't be able to hack it in defence. He suggested swapping with Milford I believe.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Never would've guessed that. Seemed like an accountant to me. Might just be that picture of gentleman archer.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
It was hardly a zillion, and it takes more than one under performing player to derail a whole season. What has the 500k per year Snowden done other than break a cowboys jaw? What has Mullen done other than get injured? What has Gidley done besides that one game against the storm? Uate? Smith? Let's face it. The whole team went missing this year other than a select few (and who could blame them?) Can't pin it all on the blokes who've left. And I don't care who you are. You're not gonna want to play your heart out for a club whose owner treats you like s**t.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Yeah pick up a news paper between round 5 and when Tinkler finally left. It was all people would hear about from Newcastle other than the McKinnon tragedy. A rocky year for the club, but they'll bounce back.
Pat Malone
Guest
You got proof of that?
LMM
Guest
Kodi Nikorima should get the spot. Kid has serious talent and all the attacking ingredients that the modern fullback needs.
Von Neumann
Roar Guru
I've read every reply in here and it was freaky trying to fit it all in. But I came up with the extra sauce that was needed. I think I already called it but its even more clear now with our combined brain power. When hodges came in at the back half of the season last year I knew we'd make the 8. The moment someone mentioned it to me... and let's be honest....oh boy this may sound bad.... he was the only one worth being excited about in the team... ouch..... maybe not that much....but I said "we're in the 8" Then they took it down to the wire on that. But the Broncos kind of fired more. Sure I've been robed of seeing boyde in our colours I'd say for this year...but I'm taking solace in the variety coming up. Think about it they're probably at training today after banging their women and vaccing and the dishes but sometimes never both. .. and they're jostling and niggling and competing and kicking each others ankles....trying to bring on the curse upon the other. I don't think its wrecked the season. Some reports are way over the top ;)
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Given he turns 33 in May, Hodges in any position is only temporary one thinks.
Jay C
Roar Guru
It's not a great sign that he doesn't think he is up to it. 2 months ago he was begging for the chance... I wonder if his Hammies are acting up
Jay C
Roar Guru
Plenty of trials and WCC and 9's to get it right before the season proper. I would be unleashing the Nikorima boys, Eden, Milford, Hunt, Hodges, Vidot, Parker, Blair, Copley, McGuire on the 9's. Lets go one better than last year.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Hodges has a nice little short boot as well
Jay C
Roar Guru
Nice to meet you Andrew.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
He said himself he wouldn't be able to handle it physically. The kick returns are too much for him. I'd try Eden first then if he can't find his feet in the NRL look at giving Nikorima a shot.