Super Freak
International Captain
Forum Staff
- Jan 25, 2014
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DARIUS Boyd has taken the art of a fullback’s defensive play to another level, according to Billy Slater.
Slater, who has played fullback for Queensland 19 times, said he was stuck by how effective and groundbreaking Boyd’s positioning was in defence inside the 20m zone and late in tackle counts.
“He has that balance to be up in the line and also be there for kicks when then threat is there,’’ said Slater, who is sidelined with a shoulder injury and has a role as a coaching consultant for the Maroons.
“He was the first fullback to really get that balance right. Most fullbacks now get into the line inside the extra 20m zone to create the extra defender when they think the threat is.
“Darius works really hard. It’s the key attribute fullbacks will need to have in the future.
“The Broncos are one of the hardest teams to score against, purely because of the balance he brings to their line.’’
Boyd is the sixth fullback Queensland has used in 31 games since the golden Origin era started in 2006.
He will play his second game at fullback for the Maroons at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.
Greg Inglis (three games), Karmichael Hunt (six), Clinton Schifscofske (one) and Matt Bowen (one) are the others who have started in the No.1 position between 2006-16.
Slater was frequently praised by Darren Lockyer while he was Maroons skipper as the best he had seen at communicating with the defensive line in front of him.
“Darbs (Boyd) is a great communicator at the back,’’ Slater said. “Where he excels is on the tryline.
“He’s also really dangerous with the ball out the back and he can feed the ball on really well.’’
Slater said Queensland would have to be more productive to seal the series with a Game Two victory.
“If it’s a dry track at Suncorp, both teams will be better with the football,’’ he said.
“In Game Two (of Origin series), the teams are normally more fluent than in Game One.’’
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Slater, who has played fullback for Queensland 19 times, said he was stuck by how effective and groundbreaking Boyd’s positioning was in defence inside the 20m zone and late in tackle counts.
“He has that balance to be up in the line and also be there for kicks when then threat is there,’’ said Slater, who is sidelined with a shoulder injury and has a role as a coaching consultant for the Maroons.
“He was the first fullback to really get that balance right. Most fullbacks now get into the line inside the extra 20m zone to create the extra defender when they think the threat is.
“Darius works really hard. It’s the key attribute fullbacks will need to have in the future.
“The Broncos are one of the hardest teams to score against, purely because of the balance he brings to their line.’’
Boyd is the sixth fullback Queensland has used in 31 games since the golden Origin era started in 2006.
He will play his second game at fullback for the Maroons at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.
Greg Inglis (three games), Karmichael Hunt (six), Clinton Schifscofske (one) and Matt Bowen (one) are the others who have started in the No.1 position between 2006-16.
Slater was frequently praised by Darren Lockyer while he was Maroons skipper as the best he had seen at communicating with the defensive line in front of him.
“Darbs (Boyd) is a great communicator at the back,’’ Slater said. “Where he excels is on the tryline.
“He’s also really dangerous with the ball out the back and he can feed the ball on really well.’’
Slater said Queensland would have to be more productive to seal the series with a Game Two victory.
“If it’s a dry track at Suncorp, both teams will be better with the football,’’ he said.
“In Game Two (of Origin series), the teams are normally more fluent than in Game One.’’
No Cookies | Daily Telegraph
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