Maroons legend Darius Boyd has vowed to build on the foundation laid by outgoing coach Billy Slater, but put his own spin on things, after taking charge of the Queensland Maroons.
The former fullback was unveiled as Slater's replacement on Thursday afternoon on a two-year deal that will see Boyd lead the Maroons through the 2027 and 2028 series.
After a decorated career that featured 28 appearances for his state, Boyd has steadily progressed through the coaching pathway at the QRL and Brisbane Broncos and was most recently in charge of the Queensland Under 19 team.
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The 39-year-old led that side to victory over the Blues earlier this season, backing up from their breakthrough win in the fixture last year, and will now step up to the senior team as they look to regain the Origin shield.
"I'm really grateful for the opportunity," Boyd said.
"I understand the responsibility.
"My job now is to build on the great legacy from so many wonderful Queenslanders, both players and coaches, that's been provided before us."
Knowing that he was stepping into a high profile and high pressure environment, Boyd said he felt ready.
"It's not just the last 12-18 months, it's definitely been a journey for me," Boyd said.
"I think about my journey from a young person, on-and-off the field, rugby league's been a big part of my life, it's helped me grow into the person I am today.
"I don't take that responsibility lightly, but I also know it's a great opportunity for me to instil belief, confidence and desire into the next generation.
"I'm really proud for that opportunity to come forward in the next little of period for Queensland."
Having worked closely with Slater in his role as Under 19 coach, Boyd saw up close the systems in place in the QRL's male representative pathway and was also looking forward to working with the playing group.
"There's so many great Queenslanders that left the legacy in a great space and I think about Mal [Meninga] in my time, obviously there's Kevvy [Walters], Greeny [Paul Green] and Bill, so it's not broken, so don't fix it," Boyd said.
"It's about putting my spin on it.
"I'll have those conversations with a lot of those key people in my life that have the best interests for Queensland to make sure that myself and the squad continue on that legacy and do Queensland and the state proud.
"I think we've got a really deep squad.
"I think there's a lot of youth as well when you look through the age bracket of the squad this year, it's a lot of youth and excitement in that, squad currently.
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"I know from my own experience in the 19s, there's a lot of great exciting talent coming through too.
"It wasn't the same depth we had when I was playing, that's for sure, that's probably why we did the old pick and stick because there wasn't anything else to choose from and I was lucky enough to be rewarded with a few more games maybe.
"But, Queensland's in a great space right now and that's credit to Billy and the staff before us.
"It's not about reinventing the wheel ... Billy's left Queensland in a great space, so, looking at what he's done and achieved and what he's set up, making sure we honour that and then put our own little spin on it, moving forward as well."
In his playing career, Boyd played 337 NRL matches for the Broncos, Dragons and Knights, winning titles with Brisbane and St George Illawarra and the Clive Churchill Medal in 2010.
As a Maroon, the outside back scored 17 tries for the Maroons, while he also represented Australia on 23 occasions.
In announcing his appointment, QRL chair Brian Canavan said Boyd was ready to lead a new generation of Maroons to Origin glory.
“Darius has lived and breathed what it means to represent Queensland,” Canavan said.
“His playing achievements speak for themselves, but what has impressed us just as much is the work he has done since retirement 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."
As well as coaching, Boyd has spent time working as a mental health advocate, crediting how he dealt with his own personal struggles for helping him emerge into the person he is today.
"I think it's pretty well publicised with myself going to that mental health facility, and it's something that I needed to make a change, I knew that and needed some support from some key people in my life," Boyd said when asked who he had grown from a shy player who infamously shunned the media to feeling confident he could fulfil the role of an Origin head coach.
"I needed to grow my support network as well and it didn't happen overnight ...
"I went there and learned a lot about myself and needed to grow and become a man and make good decisions and do good things in the community/
"That's something that 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'm trying to make a difference and better not only my life but their lives as well."
