Wow. Kevin Walters is considering doing the unthinkable of moving Billy Slater to fullback despite Darius Boyd being the Kangaroo's fullback. I'll say one thing about Kevin Walters he's not afraid to make a big call.
Darius Boyd set to be replaced as Queensland fullback by Biller Slater
"AUSTRALIA custodian Darius Boyd is facing the axe as Queensland fullback for Origin I.
Australia’s fullback kingpin will run out in Friday night’s Anzac Test against New Zealand confronting the heartbreak of losing his beloved Maroons No.1 jumper later this month.
The Courier-Mail can reveal Queensland coach Kevin Walters is ready to make the toughest call of his career by recalling Billy Slater and shifting Boyd to the wing for the series opener on May 31.
Walters has been agonising over the Boyd-Slater dilemma for months, to the point where the Maroons coach even considered deploying the Storm veteran on the wing.
But Slater’s sizzling two-try display against the Dragons last week convinced Walters the 33-year-old can reprise his role as Queensland’s matchwinning fullback.
Walters accepts Boyd is Queensland’s fullback incumbent, producing the best Origin campaign of his career last season to spearhead the Maroons’ 10th series win in 11 years. But Walters is also mindful it was only Slater’s series of shoulder injuries that opened the door for Boyd.
Slater has played 22 of his 27 Origin matches at fullback and has been the Maroons’ pre-eminent custodian for the past eight years.
Queensland fullback legend Gary Belcher believes the Maroons’ backline will be at its most deadly with both Slater and Boyd in the starting side.
“I’d find a spot in the Queensland team for Billy,” he said. “They just have to get both Billy and Darius in the backline.
“If that means Billy goes to fullback and Darius moves to the wing, then so be it. Billy showed against the Dragons that he is back to his best.
“There’s some suggestion Billy could play in the centres but Darius is the one who is more versatile. They can interchange during the game. Darius can drop back and make some kick returns so there’s no reason they can’t share the fullback duties.”
Walters acknowledged Boyd’s outstanding season at fullback for Brisbane, Queensland and Australia last season.
“Darius was our best player in the Origin series last year playing fullback and he excelled on the Four Nations tour at fullback,” he said.
“But Darius has also played the majority of his Origin football on the wing.”
Walters acknowledged Boyd’s outstanding season at fullback for Brisbane, Queensland and Australia last season.
“Darius was our best player in the Origin series last year playing fullback and he excelled on the Four Nations tour at fullback,” he said.
“But Darius has also played the majority of his Origin football on the wing.”
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...r/news-story/a3cd274936e9b3d512044d6e75e63549
