Gold Coast debutant Tanah Boyd says he hopes to inspire other local kids to play for the Titans
Fresh off his NRL debut, Gold Coast youngster Tanah Boyd says he hopes to “set a platform” for other local kids to have the ambition to play for the Titans.
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Titans debutant Tanah Boyd says he wants to help inspire the next generation of Gold Coast wunderkinds to stay and play for their hometown club.
The 19-year-old made his NRL debut off the bench for the Gold Coast during last weekend’s 38-4 drubbing to the Knights in Newcastle.
The Australian Schoolboys halfback played as a substitute dummy-half crashed and tackled his way through his 30-minute stint, finishing with 21 tackles and 46 kick metres.
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Despite playing out of position and the 34-point loss, the youngster said it had been a “pretty special” debut and credited roommate Michael Gordon on being able to hold his nerve.
“I knew I had a pretty simple role and that was just to make my tackles and get my passes out in front,” Boyd said.
“I wasn’t even that nervous.
“I was pretty lucky to have Flash (Michael Gordon) as my roomie. He’s pretty experienced and he helped me through it.
The Keebra Park State High School junior was poached from the Broncos in June by Titans culture boss Mal Meninga as part of his plan to blood homegrown youth and inspire a new era at the club next season.
The Allan Langer lookalike is hoped to lead the next generation of Gold Coast talent at the Titans after representing Queensland in the Under-18s and Under-20s.
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Boyd said his move back home allowed him to play a bit more relaxed and inspire other young Gold Coast talent coming through the ranks.
“Up there (at the Broncos), it was pretty full on,” Boyd said.
“They’ve just got so much pressure on them up there.
“Down here, it’s just a bit more relaxed and we kind of enjoy each other’s company a bit more.
“Although we’re not getting the results on the field, in training and everything throughout the week, we’re real positive.
“That’s what we need on the Gold Coast.
“We’ve got such a good base here and we need those younger kids looking up to us.
“We need to give it back to them and set a platform to them.”
Boyd is hoping to remain in the squad for this weekend’s final home game against St George Illawarra on Saturday night.
The match will also be Gordon’s final NRL game after announcing his retirement at season’s end.
“Hopefully this week we can get a win for (Gordon) because it’s his last game and we’ve got to send him out on a high,” Boyd said.
“It’s more about Flash this week.
“To send him out (a winner) would just be awesome.
“I’m sure during the week, we’re going to be talking about that and have a real focus around that so hopefully we can just get him the win.”
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