Source: Radio New Zealand
Tanah Body celebrates a freakish try against Canberra Raiders. Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
NRL: Newcastle Knights v NZ Warriors
Kickoff 5pm, Saturday, 21 March
MacDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Live blog updates on RNZ website
Knowledgeable NRL commentators and armchair critics alike are taking a long, hard look at themselves in the mirror, wondering what they missed about Tanah Boyd.
Those feelings of regret are probably amplified, if you’re on the Gold Coast Titans football staff, who let the unheralded halfback slip through their fingers and across the Tasman last season, landing at NZ Warriors HQ.
After five years and 69 first-grade games for the Titans, Boyd needed a change of scenery, and signed a two-year deal that saw him buried on a depth chart and initially consigned to reserve grade.
Twelve months later, the apparent journeyman has the keys to an attack that has piled 40 points onto two of the competition’s leading contenders – the most in club history over the opening two rounds – while making his doubters eat their words.
Serving up humble pie is not on Boyd’s agenda.
“Not at all,” he insisted. “I just worry about me and this team, these four walls and what happens here – that’s all I worry about.
“I feel like my confidence is really high at the moment, and I just want to keep it that way and keep going well.”
Tanah Boyd scores the Warriors’ opening try of the season against Sydney Roosters. Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
When first-choice half Luke Metcalf fell to a season-ending knee injury last June, Boyd inherited a team that had probably peaked too soon and were running on fumes, as they neared playoffs.
He was unable to spark a revival, as they lost six of their last eight games, including a limp, one-and-done effort against Penrith Panthers in the first week of the post-season, but the new season has brought a different perspective.
With Metcalf still a few weeks away from a return, Boyd has had an entire summer to consolidate his starting spot.
“I just think I’m a lot clearer on my role and the boys are responding to me a lot better,” he said. “I think having a full pre-season and getting the reps with them has really helped, and made them a lot clearer as well.
“Everyone’s on the same page at the moment and we just have to keep it going now.”
Coach Andrew Webster has seen the continued development of Boyd’s game across the two seasons.
“Last year, he was in contention for round one and he did his calf 4-5 weeks before the start of the season,” he said. “He started the season in reserve grade and he was outstanding, but just couldn’t get an opportunity through good form and us winning games.
“He got his chance and right at the end, in the finals, I think you saw him growing in confidence and the team were really confident around him. The last two weeks, he’s been dominant.
“When he runs the footy, we look good. When he tackles, we look good, and he kicks well.
“It’s not an easy game, but those three simple things we want him to be good at.”
After two weeks, Boyd led the competition in scoring (32), try assists (4) and linebreak involvements (3), and his early-season form has changed the whole narrative around the Warriors halves. He’s no longer just keeping the jersey warm for Metcalf’s return, but has created a genuine contest for both positions.
“You don’t have to pigeonhole halves that can only wear the seven jersey,” Webster hinted after the season-opening win over Sydney Roosters, which he agreed was Boyd’s best showing in a Warriors uniform.
“Everyone’s getting a bit better at being a six or a seven, or you just look at them as two halves.
Tanah Boyd’s early form has created a genuine contest for selection when Luke Metcalf returns. Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
“I’m not suggesting anything at the moment. I’m just grateful we have four really good halfbacks at hand.”
Boyd’s current job security has been amplified by the early attrition among his competition, with Te Maire Martin (broken leg) and Chanel Harris-Tavita (concussion) joining Metcalf on the sidelines.
This week, Webster will roll out fifth-string half Luke Hanson, who may still have missed out to first-choice fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, if he had been available.
Boyd and Hanson bring a tried-and-proven combination from last season’s triumphant reserves campaign, and started both pre-season trials together last month.
“It’s a big advantage – similar hairstyle, similar size,” Webster quipped. “They’ve played a lot of games together and won a lot of games together, and while it’s not at NRL level, they’ve built that confidence in each other.
“They know what to do, they know each other’s game and I’m sure they’ll lean on each other at the right time.”
Boyd is looking forward to pairing up with his old mate at the next level.
“I love playing with Lukey,” he said. “He’s a fast player and loves to run the footy, so I love creating space for him and I feel like he plays his best footy when he’s got space.
“He’s a tough little bugger and they’ll definitely go after him with his defence, that’s for sure. I’m so excited for him, so pumped and he’s had a great pre-season.”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
