Titans half Tanah Boyd says the belief instilled in him by Mal Meninga and the mentoring of Tyrone Roberts has set him up to make a red hot crack at becoming a regular NRL player.
The 19-year-old left the Broncos midway through last season to sign until the end of 2021 with the Titans.
He was rewarded for the impressive start he made at the club with two NRL games off the bench at the end of the 2019 season.
It was an initial meeting with Meninga, the Titans' head of performance and culture, that confirmed to Boyd he was making the right decision to leave the Broncos and sign with the Gold Coast.
"I had a meeting with Mal and he was so direct with me and honest with me about what he wanted and where I was going to go," Boyd said.
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Boyd was happy at the Broncos but well aware that he was in a queue of quality halves that included Anthony Milford, Tom Dearden, Cory Paix and Sean O'Sullivan. Now that Brodie Croft has joined the club that queue just got longer for the coming season.
Boyd is versatile like his former Queensland under 18s halves partner Paix and can play in the halves or at hooker. He came off the bench for the Queensland under 20s in the number 14 role this year and it is a position he could well fill for the Titans.
Roberts and Ash Taylor are set to be the starting halves in 2020 but coach Justin Holbrook has already said that Boyd will be snapping at their heels.
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Boyd said Roberts' advice was assisting his development as he targets playing more top-grade games for the Titans.
"I was stuck behind a few people at the Broncs and I came down to the Titans and knew I was going to get a crack and be under Tyrone Roberts," he said.
"I knew I'd learn a lot off him and I already am. I am just picking his brain this pre-season and he is so willing to help me. He just simplifies everything and at training if he sees something he will pick it up and help you out. That is what I love.
"I am taking everything in and trying to learn as much as possible. If I can get some more games it would be awesome. Anywhere to get a game I will be happy. I can play hooker and I can play half so I don't mind."
Boyd is also valued by the Titans for his willingness to embrace community activities as was evidenced by his enjoyment at Whitewater World on the Gold Coast on Tuesday. To help celebrate National Disabilities Day the Titans players spent time with guests and their families, including many young people.
"They are enjoying themselves. It is a little thing for us to do and we love it as well," Boyd said of the visit.
"It was real easy for me to just go 'yeah, I am going to come down'. He said that 'if you come down and train hard you are going to get an opportunity'. I got injured when I first came down and then I got the last two games. That gave me more belief and trust that they gave me those last two games."
