Slimmed down Shannon Boyd looks to win back Roos jersey
A slimmed down Shannon Boyd is bracing for an explosive showdown with his former Canberra teammates as the Titans’ star signing revealed his desire to win back a Kangaroos jersey.
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A slimmed down Shannon Boyd is bracing for an explosive showdown with his former Canberra teammates as the Gold Coast Titans’ star signing revealed his desire to win back a Kangaroos jersey.
Boyd will make his Titans debut against his former club at Cbus Super Stadium today when the Gold Coast kicks off its 2019 NRL campaign against the Raiders.
Boyd is the fittest he has ever been after stripping down to an intimidating 126kg, making him one of the biggest front rowers in the NRL.
Titans coach Garth Brennan has been blown away by Boyd’s physical presence, claiming he is 100kg of pure muscle.
Boyd, 27, said he was ready to relaunch his career at the Titans and a brutal clash with the Raiders was his first mission.
“I’m a little bit nervous, I’ve got to perform for the club being a new signing,” Boyd told The Sunday Mail.
“I think Sia (Soliola) probably will (come after me). We are good mates but he always puts a challenge out there. I’d say he will try and get me.
“I reckon they will all try to get one on me for a laugh but I’ll also try to go after a few of the boys as well.”
Boyd secured a $2 million four-year deal with the Titans as one of Brennan’s big name recruits for 2019.
He played 111 NRL games for the Raiders after debuting in 2014 and made four Test appearances for the Kangaroos in 2016.
But Boyd’s form dipped over the past two years and he only averaged 35 minutes a game last year, prompting him to look elsewhere to revitalise his career.
“I got a bit complacent and relaxed,” Boyd admitted.
“I got too heavy and made it a bit harder on myself. I needed a freshen up with my career.
“Garth sounded really good when I talked to him and he’s done a good job with the squad he’s been building. I can see the club going somewhere.
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“I’m in the best shape I’ve been in my career. I feel really good and hopefully that can come out in my footy and I can play rep again.
“It wasn’t really my choice to play those minutes, it’s how the interchange was at Canberra.
“Hopefully Garth gives me the chance to play a few more minutes. I’ve done it before and there’s no reason I can’t do it.
“I’d love to play 45-50 minutes a game but I need to be effective. I’m more about bending the line and making an impact rather than playing so many minutes.”
The early signs from Boyd have been positive.
He made an eye-catching 20-minute performance in the Titans’ trial loss to Brisbane before being sidelined with a hand injury and will start in the front row alongside Queensland Origin prop Jarrod Wallace today.
Brennan said he had been blown away by Boyd’s physical presence and dedication to training.
“We did some scans and he barely has an ounce of fat on him, he is 100kg of just straight out muscle, that’s just phenomenal,” he said.
“I have never seen anyone with his muscle and size in the NRL. For a big guy he has a good motor and just keeps going.
“He was 130kg which is massive and he is getting around the field a bit better which is great. He is now back to the weight he was at when he played for Australia.
“I said to Shannon ‘mate you need to be 126kg or I won’t pick you in the team’. That’s the mindset I want for the players in the squad.”
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga, now on the Titans payroll, said Boyd could have a huge impact on the Gold Coast.
“Shannon can have a real influence on the success of the Titans,” he said.
“I gave him his first Test jumper. He is a huge body, he is one of the biggest men I have seen play the game.
“He lost his way a bit at the Raiders but he’s got a pretty good motor for a big man and he has been very good in his attitude since he’s come to the Titans.
“He’s definitely representative quality. I hope he can get back to his best form because if he does, it will make the Titans a better team.”
Originally published as Slimmed down Shannon Boyd looks to win back Roos jersey
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