Brisbane Broncos star Darius Boyd has spoken for the first time since being officially announced as the Australian Kangaroos fullback for the Downer Trans-Tasman Test match to be held at Hunter Stadium on May 6.
Australian coach Mal Meninga has put his full faith in Boyd, with the Brisbane fullback's standout 2016 season seeing him selected in his preferred position ahead of some high-class competition.
Full Kangaroos squad for mid-year Test
Boyd's selection means South Sydney fullback Greg Inglis and St George Illawarra fullback Josh Dugan will both start in the centres.
It's the first time Boyd has represented Australia in two years, with his last appearance for the Kangaroos coming in 2014 when he started on the wing in Australia's 30-18 Anzac Test win over New Zealand.
Boyd is ecstatic with the announcement and the 28-year-old is now focused on doing his best for his country.
"I'm just happy to be in the team. It's been a couple of years since I've played for Australia and I'm stoked," Boyd said.
"Playing for your country is massive and it was a goal of mine to get picked so I'm very happy.
"Playing at fullback is definitely different. On the wing I wouldn't be as involved. I play fullback more often than not at club level so to be selected at fullback for my country is a pretty special feeling. It's a special jersey.
"Mal knows what I bring and they've picked me at fullback for a reason. Everyone has their own roles they will bring to the team."
His own harshest critic, Boyd believes he can still improve and is hopeful he can hit the form that saw him awarded the 2010 RLIF (Rugby League International Federation) Fullback of the Year award while playing at the Dragons.
"I still think I'm a little bit off my best form," he said.
"I would still like to do more in the game and that starts with helping out the halves each week.
"They are playing really great footy and the side is going well so it makes it easy for me to chime in and do my thing. I definitely would like to improve my game even more."
Meninga has hinted that Boyd's selection at fullback may be long term, with the newly appointed Australian coach selecting a team that he hopes will be successful throughout this year and next.
"We have a Four Nations tournament at the end of this year and then a World Cup in 2017. This is the start of an important journey for the Kangaroos," Meninga said.
