The maddest few minutes of Tanah Boyd’s NRL career have steeled him for bigger challenges on the horizon, namely his first taste of finals football.
Boyd, the former Gold Coast playmaker who joined the Warriors at the end of last season, was the most relieved man on the field at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday when his teammate Leka Halasima scored a miraculous try after the full-time siren to clinch a 20-15 win against Newcastle.
With the game in the balance after a Boyd penalty goal in the 68th minute locked scores up at 14-all, the 24-year-old halfback fired off two unsuccessful shots at field goals and then missed a straightforward penalty attempt in the penultimate minute.
But just as Knights fans were preparing to celebrate a desperately needed victory, Boyd had another long-range crack at field goal on the last play of the game, which was blocked by Newcastle’s Jackson Hastings.
In frenetic scenes, the ball bounced opportunely for 19-year-old Halasima, who produced a weaving, tackle-busting 45-metre run to score the matchwinner and save Boyd from a world of pain.
“It was definitely a rollercoaster, but yeah, I’m happy we got the two points, obviously, and I’ll learn from those situations,” Boyd said.
“It was a bit of relief for myself. I was a bit disappointed that I didn’t ice those moments, but you know, that’s footy, I’ve got to learn from those. I’ll be better for it.
“I’m just proud that we stuck in there and came up with a good win.”
Tanah Boyd takes a shot at goal against Newcastle on Sunday.Credit: Getty Images
Boyd - who has kicked 117 goals across his career at almost 80 per cent, as well as three field goals - was almost in disbelief over his missed penalty when the Warriors were trailing 15-14.
“I was pretty disappointed in myself with that,” he said. “I pride myself on my goalkicking. I’ve just got to be better in those moments. Again, it’s all learning and I’ll be better.”
Warriors coach Andrew Webster said it was important that Boyd, who delivered a try assist, four goals and a line break against Newcastle, kept demanding the ball when the pressure was at its most intense.
“Lots of halves are going to be in that situation where you’ve got to have that big moment at the end,” Webster said.
“But he just wanted to keep having a crack at it, which is the best sign. He didn’t hide.
Luke Metcalf suffered a season-ending knee injury last month.Credit: Getty Images
“He wanted to keep going … by his standards, he still didn’t feel great, to be fair.
“He’s got high standards and he wanted to ice those moments. That won’t define him, that’s for sure.”
Boyd, who played 69 top-grade games for the Titans between 2019 and last season, was released from the final 12 months of his contract to sign a two-year deal with the Warriors.
After biding his time in their NSW Cup team, he became the right man in the right place at the right time when Luke Metcalf, the early-season Dally M points leader, suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Metcalf’s cruel setback left many querying if the Warriors would inevitably fall in a hole, but instead they have strung together back-to-back wins against Wests Tigers and Newcastle with Boyd calling the shots at first receiver.
Now Boyd is on track to play in the finals for the first time, with the Warriors well placed to seal a top-four position.
Tanah Boyd reflects on a missed penalty goal that he thought had cost the Warriors victory against Newcastle.Credit: Getty Images
“It’s been a great move,” Boyd said. “I feel like my game has gone to the next level, and I’ve learned so much from the coaching staff here.
“It’s a great environment to be around. The boys are so connected, and it’s a real happy group to be around, so it’s a real good feel.”
Just a few weeks earlier, however, he had been wondering if and when he would be required, given the hot form of Metcalf and his halves partner, Chanel Harris-Tavita.
“There were definitely times when I wasn’t sure whether I was going to [play], but I had to be a good clubman and make sure I was turning up every day and preparing for NRL and make sure that the NSW Cup side was winning,” Boyd said.
“That’s what I prided myself on, and I just made sure that when I did get my crack, I’d be ready. That’s here now, and I’m going to try and take it with both hands.”
Webster said the Warriors were lucky to have a player of Boyd’s experience to call upon after losing Metcalf.
“We’re always disappointed when you lose a player, but you always celebrate a guy that comes in and is as consistent as what he [Boyd] is,” Webster said.
“I think he’s just going to improve every week, Tanah. The team’s going to get better because they’re going to get used to him.”
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