Queensland coach Kevin Walters opens the door for Darius Boyd to make an Origin comeback

Maroons coach Kevin Walters has revealed Darius Boyd could make a shock return from representative retirement and replace Billy Slater as Queensland fullback.

Darius Boyd of the Queensland Maroons in action during Game one of the State of Origin series against the NSW Blues at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Wednesday, May 31, 2017. (AAP Image/Dan Peled) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

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Queensland coach Kevin Walters has opened the door for Darius Boyd to make a shock State of Origin comeback with the Broncos captain in the mix to replace retired champion Billy Slater.

As Boyd prepares to launch his 2019 season in Saturday night’s final trial against the Titans, Walters scuppered talk of a feud, confirming the Broncos ace was one of several contenders for the Queensland No.1 jumper.

Boyd has put his frustrating hamstring saga behind him with a bumper pre-season that has seen Brisbane’s most senior player record his best training data for almost a decade.

The 31-year-old dropped a Maroons bombshell last July when he announced his immediate representative retirement amid speculation Boyd had fallen out with Queensland bosses following his omission for Origin I.

But Walters says Slater’s retirement and Valentine Holmes’ decision to chase an NFL contract has put the Broncos custodian back in the frame for a Maroon jumper – if he wants one.

“The ship hasn’t sailed on Darius at all,” Walters told The Courier-Mail.

Could Boyd make an Origin comeback? AAP Image/Dan Peled.

“We, as Queensland selectors, never made any decisions around (not picking) Darius and from what I’m reading, he’s in a good headspace again.

“I haven’t spoken to him personally, we’ll let the season get underway and see how things go.

“Darius has proven he is a quality player and an elite player at Origin level.

“I wouldn’t say Kalyn is the favourite for the fullback spot at all. We have Greg Inglis there and Darius is an option as well.

“We won the series with him at fullback in 2016 so he’s always welcome in the Maroons set up that’s for sure.”

Walters scoffed at suggestions a fallout with Boyd triggered his decision to walk away from the Maroons.

“There’s no issue at all,” he said.

“If he wants to play for Queensland again, for sure I would consider him.

“I don’t know how Darius feels so we would have to have that conversation, but we certainly haven’t closed the door on Darius.”

When he quit last year, Boyd said it was time to inject fresh blood. But the unexpected loss of Queensland tryscoring machine Holmes and Slater’s retirement has created two vacancies in the Maroons’ backline for the 2019 series.

Boyd has scored 17 tries for Queensland. Picture by Brett Costello.

Queensland would benefit from Boyd’s experience following their 2-1 series loss last year. The Broncos ace has played 28 Origin matches, scoring 17 tries, and just two years ago had replaced an injured Slater as Queensland and Australia’s No.1 fullback.

Boyd is a revitalised figure under new Broncos coach Anthony Seibold and the winds of change at Red Hill has given him a fresh outlook on the Queensland jumper he wore with distinction.

“It’s hard to say – I haven’t played a game yet,” Boyd said when asked if he had retired prematurely from Origin.

“I’m really confident in my head and body. I just want to get back to playing my best and playing good footy. This is where my focus is.

“If I get back to my best, if I’m playing really well and am happy then I might have to reassess then.

“I’m happy with where I’m at and want to put that out on the field.

“I know I can play at a high level and I want to get back to that.”