When Darius Boyd speaks, people listen – and then usually walk away frustrated.
However, the man who infamously held a 30-word press conference could not talk enough about a teammate he believes is the key to Queensland’s eighth straight State of Origin series title – Greg Inglis.
Boyd made his notoriously reclusive coach Wayne Bennett look positively chatty in a 2009 press conference that lasted a matter of frustrating moments despite the best efforts of persistent journalists.
An effort that was repeated earlier this year.
He has not been the most forthcoming of interview talents – which made his glowing assessment of Inglis all the more remarkable ahead of Wednesday night’s must-win Origin II clash with NSW in Brisbane.
“He makes my job easy. He makes me look good because ‘GI’ does all the work for me,” winger Boyd told QRL website.
“It’s just his class. He’s a class player and class players always do their best and excel in the highest arenas, and that’s what he does.
“I’m just on the end of it trying to finish it off for him.”
Five years after bursting onto the Origin scene with a two-try debut set up by Inglis in a 30-0 Queensland win, Boyd is ready to again rise to the occasion at Suncorp Stadium.
“There’s probably not a better feeling to be honest than to play for Queensland and run out onto Suncorp,” former Brisbane flyer Boyd said.
“I played for the Broncos here and it was awesome, but to play for Queensland is another level.”
Even media shy Bennett hauled Boyd over the coals following his now infamous “interview” four years ago when both were with St George Illawarra, but it seems the Newcastle Knights match-winner won’t be changing his media stance any time soon.
“I’m pretty quiet, but I like to keep it that way,” he said.
“I just like to play footy, play my best and do my friends and family proud.
“I’m not on social media and things like that. Everyone’s different I guess and that’s just me.”