Tanah Boyd converted five of his team's six tries against Wests Tigers. Photo: Brett Phibbs/www.photosport.nz
NZ Warriors halfback Tanah Boyd admits wondering if he would ever get the chance to pull on the club jersey in NRL first-grade.
After six seasons at Gold Coast Titans, Boyd took a chance to cross the Tasman this year in search of his next opportunity, but has had to wait in the wings for that chance to arrive.
Coach Andrew Webster finally tapped him on the shoulder against Wests Tigers on Sunday, after the Warriors lost star half Luke Metcalf for the season with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his knee before last week's bye.
"There were definitely times when I wasn't sure whether it was going to come, but I had to stay positive, make sure I was playing good footy and when my chance came, I had to take it with both hands," Boyd said.
"It was terrible what happened to Lukey and you don't wish it on anyone, but I knew I had to step in and do my job. That next man up mentality is something we pride ourselves on as a club."
Boyd, 24, took his assignment in stride, guiding the Warriors around the park and teasing the Tigers with his kicking game, as the Auckland club put its premiership campaign back on track, after consecutive losses, with a 34-14 win at Go Media Stadium.
Tanah Boyd puts up another bomb against Wests Tigers. Photo: Brett Phibbs/www.photosport.nz
His seven bombs were the most by a Warriors player this season and his only try assist came from a high kick to the Tigers goal-line, contested by second-rower Leka Halasima, with five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita eventually pouncing on the loose ball to score.
"It was a good start, I was happy," he said. "I had a pretty simple role - I just wanted to defend well, kick well. and lead the boys around, and I thought I did that pretty well.
"I had a good week-and-a-half to build combinations and was pretty confident. Nothing changes in Cup and the transition was pretty easy.
"There are obviously things we want to fix up, but we'll clean those up to be better. You're never going to be perfect, but we'll keep striving for that."
While Metcalf was making a fine fist of his starting role with the Warriors, leading the Dally M Medal standings midway through the season, Boyd was filling a similar role for the club's reserves, who are dominating the NSW Cup competition on the back of a 12-game winning streak.
"We're privileged to know what Tanah Boyd has done for us, without even playing a NRL game yet," Webster said. "We're really big on our reserve grade challenging our first grade at training and he's done that every single week with a smile on his face.
"He would have liked to play, but Luke was doing such a good job and he's just waited patiently for his opportunity. He's a team-first guy and he doesn't miss a beat, because we could see how good he was at training all the time."
An often-overlooked key to good team chemistry is keeping a positive outlook when things aren't rolling your way. Many in Boyd's position would have let their disappointment fester and infect those around them.
"He's been frustrated inside, but he hasn't shown it externally, not once," Webster said. "It's a real testament to his character that the team aren't seeing him kicking stones, and they're seeing him working hard and making the rest of the club better.
"He's a big reason the [reserves] have won 12 in a row and played a big part when he got his opportunity tonight. I just really proud of his character more than anything else."
Despite missing four games on first-grade duties, Boyd ranks among the NSW Cup's top five in scoring (fourth), goals (second), line engagements (fourth), try assists (second), kick metres (fourth) and kicks (fourth).
He will now slide down those standings, as he settles in his new fulltime duties on the big stage.
Tanah Boyd sizes up his options against Wests Tigers. Photo: Brett Phibbs/www.photosport.nz
"I literally just said to him, 'Be yourself, do what you've been doing'," Webster said. "He didn't have to come in and be Luke - he had to play the way he wanted to play and the team would adjust to him.
"He wasn't coming out there, throwing plays we hadn't been using, but he does it a little bit different - his way. I was really happy for his hard work, he's done an amazing job."
Another indication of Boyd's positive outlook was his decision to take his player option of a second year at Mt Smart, before he had even made his first-grade debut.
"I've loved every moment of it," he said. "The coaching staff and Webby have been so good, and I've learned so much.
"My game has gone to the next level under the coaching staff and I'm loving the boys as well.
"I just see the growth in the club, and I feel like I've grown as a player and a person, and my family are loving it as well."
His NRL return has come in time for him to face his old Titans crew - currently bottom of the table - twice during the run to the playoffs.
"I've spoke to a few of the boys and it will be good to go up against them," he said. "It will be weird, but exciting."
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