Newcastle fullback Darius Boyd played down his classy performance against Penrith at Port Macquarie on Saturday night in a rugby league trial which finished in an 18-18 draw.

Boyd hardly looked like he was playing his first game of the season as he chimed into the Knights backline like he had been running around with them for years.

Coach Wayne Bennett said Boyd was pacing himself as he laid on a try for winger Kevin Naiqama with a brilliant cut-out ball.

“I haven’t played for a couple of months so it was good to get a hit-out,” Boyd said.

“We didn’t get too many chances. We were all out there for about half a game and we probably only had a couple of attacking sets.

“I felt alright. It was nothing over the top but it was just about getting through it and building to next week so we’re right on track for round one.”

Boyd’s team-mate Jarrod Mullen said the game highlighted how vital the Queensland and Australian representative will be during the 2012 NRL season.

“He’s got class and he’s an Australian player so he will add a lot for us at the back,” Mullen said.

“Darius can run or pass at the back and he’s very quick so he’ll be vital for us this year.”

Mullen was satisfied, but not overly happy after the match.

“It was our first hit-out and obviously we were a bit rusty and it was a bit of a scrappy game,” he said.