NRL news 2023: Tanah Boyd to start at halfback as Titans spine shake-up revealed
Star recruit Kieran Foran’s arrival on the Gold Coast has forced a shake-up of the Titans spine. See who Justin Holbrook is banking on leading his side back up the ladder
Reborn halfback Tanah Boyd will be given first crack at Gold Coast’s No. 7 jersey as Titans coach Justin Holbrook settles on the playmaking spine to save his career.
The Courier-Mail can reveal Holbrook has pencilled in his key position players for the 2023 NRL premiership, with star recruit Kieran Foran to start in his preferred role at five-eighth.
The fullback battle has been won by former Queensland Origin representative AJ Brimson, which will send emerging star Jayden Campbell to the bench in a super sub role.
After finishing in the bottom four last year and facing speculation he was on the verge of being sacked, Holbrook declared the Titans’ most important positions were up for grabs heading into the 2023 pre-season.
But the fourth-year coach has now settled on his first-choice spine ahead of next month’s trials, with Roosters recruit Sam Verrills to start at hooker in what looks like a vastly more dangerous and experienced playmaking division than last season.
Halfback Toby Sexton faces starting the year in reserve grade after plummeting down the pecking order following a tough second season in the NRL.
Sexton, 21, played 19 NRL games last year, with the Titans only winning three of those as they fell into wooden spoon contention before Holbrook shifted Boyd to halfback.
A schoolboys star and Broncos junior, Boyd flourished in the No. 7 jersey after acting as a makeshift dummy-half in previous seasons, helping the Titans win three of their final five games to finish in 13th spot on the ladder.
His crowning glory was a booming golden-point field goal against the Warriors in Auckland in the final game of the season to clinch a stunning comeback win for the Titans.
Now, Holbrook is set to reward Boyd’s late-season form by handing him the coveted halfback duties for the start of Gold Coast’s resurrection campaign.
Former Maroons forward Scott Sattler has followed Boyd’s development closely and said he was maturing following a turbulent start to his 39-game NRL career.
“The best thing about Tanah since he’s been a schoolboy is his work ethic. If you’ve got that work ethic then you’re three quarters of the way there,” Sattler said.
“There’s been a few parts of his game he’s had to tidy up and that’s been around whether he was going to be a halfback or hooker. He was in no-man’s land there for a while.
“The way he finished last year says to me that he’s matured as a player who’s willing to take hold of a side now. It showed how resilient he is as a young man.
“They won a few games at the end of the year impressively when he took control of the team. That showed he’s ready to take the next step.
“He’s always had those attributes, it’s just been a matter of finding his place in the side and feeling comfortable. He’s ready to tell more experienced players what to do.
“His biggest battle now is to have a legend like Kieran Foran sitting outside him. Does he have the ability to take pressure off Kieran and let him worry about quality rather than quantity?
“Tanah can do the quantity and be the one that’s always talking, taking the line on. He could protect Kieran from that ownership.
“Tanah is a smart kid and showed at the end of last year he is willing to take over a side. He doesn’t have to worry about his fitness or basic skills, he can just focus on building a really good combination with Kieran.”
Boyd will play on the right side next to fellow Keebra Park product and close friend David Fifita, who he has a longstanding combination with.
Fifita had a forgettable season last year as Holbrook chopped and changed the way he used the $1 million-a-year star while a knee injury limited him to 18 games.
Foran, 32, will start on his preferred left edge next to rising backrower Beau Fermor and said he wanted to guide Gold Coast’s emerging playmakers.
“I can’t wait to mentor those guys,” Foran said.
“Toby Sexton, Tanah Boyd and AJ are absolutely lovely young fellas. You can see they are switched on with their rugby league and highly driven to improve their games.
“That’s what excites me most, just seeing the determination of those guys to bounce back after last season.
“It’s my duty to nurture those guys where I can and pass on the experience and wisdom I’ve had in my career. I would love to help kickstart the careers of Toby and Tanah.”
Heading into the pre-season, Holbrook said he was unsure about the make-up of his halves but praised Boyd’s rise.
“I am really confident with the way Tanah finished,” he said.
“It took him a few years to find his feet, that’s why I moved him into nine and took him away from the decision making at seven, but the way he finished the year shows he has a bit more maturity to handle the responsibility.
“Toby is right in the mix. He will have another pre-season and he will have experience around him.
“It will be a battle in the halves. We didn’t have those options (last year).”
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