‘Are you trying to make me emotional?’: Boyd opens up on journey to Maroons job
Darius Boyd managed to keep the tears away at his inaugural Maroons press conference after discussing his journey to the job and how proud his late grandmother would be of him.
Boyd was announced on Thursday as Queensland’s next State of Origin coach, replacing Billy Slater on a two-year deal.
Darius Boyd has been named Queensland coach. QRL
Boyd has coached the U19s Queensland team for the past two years and had publicly expressed his desire to take over from Slater, who stepped down from the role after winning three of his five Origin series at the helm.
“It’s a privileged position and I’m very grateful for the opportunity,” the 39-year-old said in an official QRL statement on Thursday afternoon.
“I understand the responsibility that comes with the role as well.
“My job is to build on the legacy created by the many great Queensland players and coaches who have come before us.”
Boyd’s journey to the role is inspirational considering he grew up never knowing his father and became estranged from his mother during childhood.
During his time at the Newcastle Knights he checked himself into rehab in 2014 following a battle with depression.
Asked about his personal transformation, Boyd was candid.
“Are you trying to make me emotional?,” he smiled.
“I’ve been on a journey. We’re all on a journey. We’ve all had adversity, I think we can agree on that. It’s not about what happens to you but what you do next.
“I’ve learnt a lot over my time and have a young family too, I don’t do these things for me, it’s not about ego, it’s about wanting to be better and making a difference.
“I’ve had so many wonderful people in my life make a difference to me and I want to repay that in spades.”
Boyd admitted his stint in rehab was the light bulb moment in his life.
“It’s pretty well publicised with myself going to that mental-health facility. It was something that I needed to make a change,” he said.
Darius Boyd in his press conference. Nine
“I knew that. I needed some support from some key people in my life. I needed to grow my support network as well and that didn’t happen overnight.
“... I’ve been on that journey ever since and whether it’s my young family at home, or whether it’s the players I coach, I try and make a difference and be better not only in my life, but their lives as well.”
The new Maroons coach was also asked about the influence of his late grandmother Delphine, who raised him as a teenager.
“She was a big part of my life through childhood and my last few years in high school,” he recounted.
“It wasn’t easy, but we made it work and she’d be extremely proud. That’s what Queensland is about, connection to community, family, where you come from and whatever you do, you do it with pride.”
Another person who helped Boyd during his journey to adulthood was Wayne Bennett, who had offered to support whoever won the role.
Boyd said “it would be silly” not to go to Bennett for advice and confirmed he’ll look to legends like Cooper Cronk, Darren Lockyer, Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston too.
New Maroons coach Darius Boyd, pictured celebrating a try in game three of the 2016 series. Getty
As for any plans to coach in the NRL, Boyd said at this stage that isn’t on his radar while he was also asked the traditional question around whether he hates the Blues.
Like his predecessor, he played a straight bat.
“Do I hate the Blues? Who’s that?,” he smiled.
One of the greatest try-scorers in Origin history, Boyd crossed 17 times in 28 matches for the Maroons over a decade-long career.
He also played 337 first grade matches for the Broncos, Dragons and Knights, winning two premierships and a Clive Churchill Medal in 2010.
QRL chairman Brian Canavan lauded the appointment and has been “impressed” by Boyd’s growth early in his coaching career.
“Darius has lived and breathed what it means to represent Queensland,” he said.
“His playing achievements speak for themselves, but what has impressed us just as much is the work he has done to develop as a coach and leader.
“He has built strong relationships throughout our pathways system, earned the respect of players and staff, and demonstrated a genuine commitment to helping young people reach their potential.
“Darius understands the responsibility that comes with the Maroons jersey. He knows our culture, our history and the standards required to succeed.”
