Open NRL race suits under-fire Broncos

Brisbane skipper Darius Boyd says the mystery surrounding coach Wayne Bennett's future isn't enough to derail the run in a wide open NRL premiership race.

Darius Boyd

Brisbane's Darius Boyd is a two-time NRL premiership-winning player. (AAP)

Brisbane captain Darius Boyd isn't daunted by the prospect of coming from eighth to win the premiership, saying he isn't sold on the form of the NRL's top sides.

The Broncos' rocks or diamonds season has them on track to finish in the bottom half of the eight, with a rousing victory over South Sydney last week all-but securing them a finals berth.

A storm continues to swirl around the future of coach Wayne Bennett but Boyd says they have wiped that distraction aside and stand as good a chance as any club of winning a premiership.

"It's possible; you look at the Cowboys (who came from eighth to lose the grand final) last year," he said.

"I don't think anyone's put their hand up to be honest to lead the pack, lead the way.

"Whoever hits the most momentum the next couple of weeks leading into finals (can win it); it's a new ball game, lot of pressure, big game players come out to play.

"We've got the best coach to get us through those times as well."

The Broncos skipper says the speculation around Bennett's future and his reportedly fractured relationship with chief executive Paul White hasn't impacted the dressing room.

"I think our performance on the weekend really showed that," he said.

"It's outside noise. We know inside our club who we respect and what opinions matter and that's what we focus on.

"We love and respect Wayne, we love and respect Whitey and all we've got to do ... is go out and play well on the weekends."

Boyd followed Bennett from Brisbane to St George Illawarra and Newcastle earlier in his career but reaffirmed on Wednesday he won't do it again if the veteran mentor exited the club for a second time.

"I'm happy here, love this club," he said.

"I never wanted to leave in the first place ... was lucky enough to go with Wayne and it grew my career and myself as a person.

"This is the club I've loved since I was a little boy and I'm lucky to be captain now."


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Source: AAP



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