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.
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.
“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.
“Everyone’s really working hard for each other, moreso than I think they have in the past.”
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
How dare he answer questions. Who does he think he is?
kevin dustby
Guest
maybe Ben Hunt should worry about his own place? nothing piece
Kowalski
Guest
He might even make the field this friday night according to Bronco's news. He has completed full training sessions under the medical staff's watchful eyes and apparently its up to Boyd himself if he wants to play!
langerthebronco
Guest
+1. Credit to him and his achievement Equal TOP try scorer in SOO...
Kowalski
Guest
He sure did. And Yow-yeh was on the opposite side. Boyd picked and drove Gasnier into the ground twice in that game if I recall. Brilliant defensive displays. (was Locky's last series) He does a great job!
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
I remember the 2011(?) series when Inglis done his shoulder but continued in the second half(I think it was game 3). Boyd came in off his wing and singlehandedly shut down the blues right side attack which consisted of Gasnier and Uate. I don't think he gets enough credit being outside thurston and Inglis.
Jara W
Guest
+1 Boyd is a very solid Origin level winger. How is that any small feat? If anything he is a victim of playing for such a dominant team. There isn't much left for him to do a lot of the time.
Brett
Guest
Boyd does his job in origin. He catches the high ball, holds onto the ball when attempting to score a try, makes tackles in defence and makes vital metres when the forwards become fatigued. We all saw how terrible Dugan was on the wing for AUS over the weekend. Boyd does play with an amazing QLD backline, but he does his job well. Credit where credit is due.
Edward Kelly
Roar Guru
I'm sure, even if injured, he can do what he has in most of his origin appearances. Stand on the sideline, catch the ball, fall over the try-line. He has been lucky to have been on the end of a pretty good back-line all his origin career playing against a pretty ordinary defense. There are far better wing options for Queensland.
Johnnyball
Guest
Even half fit this bloke good as most