Not so long ago, Darius Boyd did not have the time to tolerate a press conference.
But Broncos veteran Justin Hodges says Boyd's new-found maturity has him primed to overcome a long-term injury rehabilitation.
Prized Brisbane recruit Boyd, 27, faces up to nine months on the sidelines after rupturing his Achilles at Friday training.
It is a worst case scenario for the Broncos after they cut fullbacks Ben Barba and Josh Hoffman to clear salary cap space for the star No.1.
And it also appeared to be a nightmare for Test and Queensland flyer Boyd who had shown in the past that patience was not a virtue.
Boyd sealed a frosty relationship with the media when he infamously held a 42-second, mono-syllabic press conference in 2009.
However, Boyd emerged a different person when he recently returned to Brisbane on a three-year deal after missing the past two months of the 2014 season seeking treatment for depression.
A relaxed and conversational Boyd spoke to the media at length after arriving from Newcastle barely two weeks ago.
And Hodges believed Boyd's new mindset would ensure their strike weapon would return sooner rather than later.
"It is a big hurdle, but we have seen a different side of Darius after he came back and I think that will help," he said.
"Just the way he has conducted himself over the last couple of weeks has been really good."
Hodges said he would support Boyd after overcoming not one but two torn Achilles in his own career.
Hodges only returned from his latest tear in April.
"There are some days when you think you are going really good and then there others when you think you have taken a step backwards," Hodges said of the recovery that lay ahead for Boyd.
"It's a long hard road but he is only 27 and this is his first major operation so he will be fine."
Hodges lost the entire 2010 season the first time he tore his Achilles but enjoyed a miraculous return five weeks early this year after going down again late in 2013.
"The first time I had it done we didn't know too much about it," he said.
"But the last time I came back I didn't rush it.
"I rested it a bit more and that worked out well."
Hodges believed Jordan Kahu and English Super League recruit Greg Eden were the best fullback options in Boyd's absence but believed his mate would be back before Broncos fans knew it.
"You have to work hard, even at home you have to stretch it out," he said of Boyd's looming recovery.
"It's the little things you do in the first couple of months that have long term benefits.
"But I know Darius can do it."
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