Will Queensland coach Kevin Walters choose Darius Boyd for Origin I?

KEVIN Walters has always stood by Darius Boyd, even in the toughest times. But will he take the final plunge and pick the struggling Bronco for Queensland one last time?

QLD's Darius Boyd. Queensland vs. New South Wales for game one of the 2017 Origin Series at Suncorp Stadium. Pic Peter Wallis

THE definition of true support is standing up for someone when their back is turned and Kevin Walters has gone the journey with Darius Boyd.

When Boyd was copping it from everywhere for being a tortured recluse at Newcastle a few years ago, Walters, then the Knights assistant coach, defended Boyd against all sorts of criticism.

Even behind closed doors when friends and fans were baying for Boyd’s blood Walters would stick solid with lines like “no, he’s good Darius — he just is a bit misunderstood.’’

Much like Wayne Bennett, Walters loyalty to Boyd knew no bounds but now the moment has arrived when Walters must answer the question posed by the Bee Gees hit How Deep is Your Love?

Every State of Origin coach gets a question that has them staring at a darkened ceiling at 2am and for Walters it’s Boyd.

Boyd has been a fixture for Queensland for the past decade.

Even Boyd fans concede he is no longer an automatic selection after an indifferent season though many feel Walters will find a way of picking him in the Origin team, probably on the wing, because he is, after all, 30 rather than 35.

It’s an horrendously tight call because the case against Boyd is a strong one.

If, as we expect, Greg Inglis and Will Chambers are the centres, Billy Slater is fullback and Dane Gagai one a wing, Boyd must vie with Valentine Holmes and Corey Oates for the other wing spot.

Holding back Holmes is like trying to hold back the rising tide.

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Not only was he the leading tryscorer in last year’s World Cup he also managed four tries in his two games for Queensland on debut last season. He’s 22 and as suited to the spotlight as Hugh Jackman in footy boots.

Holmes is the recent past and well as the future so how can he not be part of the present?

If this was a court case and Holmes hired a lawyer he might say “I put to you this is a case of the man who will represent Queensland for the next 10 years against someone who did so for the last 10 ... but the future is more important than the past.’’

And then there’s human steam roller Oates who must wish he could knock on the door at the selectors meeting when they start fretting about forward depth so he could shout “don’t forget I can take the ball up like a seventh forward.’’

Boyd has struggled badly for much of the season.

Oates’ case is a strong one but the fact that he has the occasional error in him may make him the No. 3 seed in a high-class field.

Queensland never finds it easy to drop a long-time star and have rarely had to until recent times.

Last year was an exception when players like Nate Myles, Sam Thaiday and Jacob Lillyman were shown the door.

But from Wally Lewis to Darren Lockyer to Petero Civoniceva, generally, and quite freakishly, most Maroon stars have made dignified exits.

Walters would love to manage a fairytale finish for Boyd — but if loyalty means more than form it will be a gamble.

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