SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

Boyd hopeful Thurston OK for Anzac Test

Darius Boyd is hopeful Johnathan Thurston will play in the Anzac Test but is not confident he will keep his fullback spot.

North Queensland Cowboys captain Johnathan Thurston (C)
Darius Boyd is hopeful Johnathan Thurston (pic) will play next month's Anzac Test in Canberra. (AAP)

2 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Skip to article content

Incumbent fullback Darius Boyd has his fingers crossed Johnathan Thurston will play next month's Anzac Test in Canberra.

But Boyd is not so hopeful about keeping his place at fullback in the Australian rugby league side.

Boyd was encouraged by news that Test playmaker Thurston's calf injury suffered in North Queensland's last round NRL loss to Wests Tigers wasn't as bad as first thought.

Thurston will be racing the clock to be fit for the May 5 Test after reports the inspirational half may be sidelined for up to a month.

"I haven't heard much but one month is good," Brisbane skipper Boyd said.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

"He never stays down or goes off so you knew it was something pretty serious (when he came off against Tigers).

"So fingers crossed he can come back in time."

Boyd made the Test and Queensland No.1 jersey his own last year, recapturing the form that earned him the 2010 Clive Churchill Medal for premiership winners St George Illawarra.

However, Boyd believed his days in the role may be numbered after Melbourne veteran Billy Slater's return from shoulder dramas.

Asked if he expected to keep his Test spot, Boyd said on Tuesday: "I don't know about that.

"I don't think I have been playing at my best.

"I definitely think I can improve. I want to do that and worry about that (Test) stuff later."

Boyd said he was taking no comfort in the fact he was the incumbent Test fullback.

"Yeah, but Billy was the incumbent eight years before that," he said.

"He's a class player and one of the best fullbacks to play the game.

"Whatever happens, happens.

"All I want is to get back to playing some good footy here."


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world