Only moments before finding out he would make his NRL debut, Titans rookie Tanah Boyd was discussing with staff the need and want for more opportunities and game time before the season was over.
Senior Coach Craig Hodges called the 19-year-old into his office for his standard review session and the conversation quickly turned to today’s match against the Newcastle Knights.
Tanah Boyd to debut for Titans
Hodges explained the need for Boyd to get in front in defence, play with energy, to keep his effort high - and how he would feel about doing those things in the NRL this week.
“Yeah, I wasn’t expecting that,” Boyd said of the conversation with Hodges.
“I was only talking to Dad last night saying I might not get a crack this year, but I’ll just have to have a big pre-season and go from there. But here we are.
“It’s pretty special.”
The conversation Boyd didn’t see coming
The Runaway Bay junior joined the Titans mid-year from the Broncos and will become Titan No.150 this afternoon. Whilst he has enjoyed every moment here on the Coast since the move, he was hungry and hoping an NRL debut would come this season.
“Just doing my extras and doing everything I can,” Boyd said of his motivations.
“I had a little injury and really needed to focus on getting my body right and then focused hard when I got back to footy.
“It’s been really good. I had my brother and my partner down here already, so we’ve all moved into a little place together and we’re all pretty settled.
“The boys have been welcoming, it’s been a good move.”
Like every footballer, there is more to it than just the individual and Boyd’s parents were over the moon when he told them the news.
“Yeah, once training was done we sat down, had a talk to them and the emotion came out then,” he said.
“It’s what I’ve been looking forward to since I was three or four and this is always what I’ve wanted to do.
“It’ll mean the world to them, to my friends as well.
“It’s special, it’s home and I want to give my all for the jersey.”
