2016 ANZAC Test @ Hunter Stadium

Alex McKinnon will be supporting mate Darius Boyd at Hunter Stadium


32 minutes ago
Peter Badel
The Courier-Mail


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DARIUS Boyd and Alex McKinnon will be reunited in the Anzac Test two years after an NRL tragedy convinced the Broncos back to make a gut-wrenching call that has led him to an Australian jumper.

Boyd runs on to Hunter Stadium to face the Kiwis as Australia’s lucky charm, having won all 17 Tests in his six-year career in the green and gold.

Boyd’s return to Newcastle has deeper meaning, with McKinnon revealing he will attend the Test to support the Kangaroos fullback, who helped him through the most harrowing battle of his life.

Such is their bond, Boyd briefly broke camp with the Kangaroos on Wednesday, 48 hours before the Test, to help drive McKinnon to his studies at a Newcastle university.

The pair’s lives have become inextricably linked because it was McKinnon’s tragic injury two years ago that convinced Boyd to briefly quit rugby league for a stint in rehab.

Boyd has not played in Newcastle since the Rise for Alex round in July 2014, when he walked behind McKinnon in a wheelchair and left the ground to confront his own demons.

Now Boyd returns to Hunter Stadium rejuvenated in body and mind as Australia’s premier fullback, driven to uphold McKinnon’s legacy by terrorising the Kiwis.

“After everything Darius has done for me, I wouldn’t miss this game,” McKinnon said.

“I’m going to be there with Dane Gagai (Newcastle centre) and I can’t wait to see Darius run out there.

“I’ve been around a lot of NRL players in the last six years and no one is as precise or strict in understanding what it takes to be a first-grader.

“It’s no fluke that Darius is in the Australian side because no player in the game works harder than him.

“I’ve always seen Darius as the person that he is today, but he’s a better person within himself and to now be wearing the Australian No.1 jumper, he’s come full circle in his life.”

When McKinnon suffered the broken neck that ended his career, Boyd admits he did not have the emotional and mental capacity to cope with the devastation.

“What happened with Alex really made me think about how hard it is to trust,” Boyd said.

“It was like another little loss in my life but I came through the other side and it’s because of my friendship with McKinnon that I’m happy in football again.’’

Boyd left the Knights a troubled soul, but a red-hot performance against the Kiwis would heal the wounds he left behind at Hunter Stadium.

“There are little things I see now that show me how much Darius has grown,” McKinnon said.

“For example, two days before the Test, he took me to university in my modified van.

“He drove me in, dropped me off and went back to camp with the Kangaroos.

“In the past, he wouldn’t have liked doing things out of his comfort zone, but now he laps it up and that’s why I know he will do so well against the Kiwis.

“I’ve never seen a player who does everything he can to be the best he can.

“Whatever he achieves in rugby league, he deserves it.’’


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...m/news-story/e1c1af3a16daed279e800aa54997df58
 
You guys must have some hazy glasses when it comes to boyd. At least he did a fullbacks job. Supporting play!!!!!!! Played all 26 games in 2013 and scored 13 tries at the back. Lets see how many gagai has at the end of this year shall we.
 
rhugh89 said:
Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Peta Hiku ruled out, Here is the updated team

1. Jordan Kahu
2. Jason Nightingale
3. Shaun Kenny-Dowall
4. Gerard Beale
5. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
6. Tohu Harris
7. Shaun Johnson
8. Jesse Bromwich (c)
9. Lewis Brown
10. Adam Blair
11. Kevin Proctor
12. Manu Ma'u
13. Jason Taumalolo

14. Kodi Nikorima
15. Greg Eastwood
16. Martin Taupau
17. Sam Moa
18. Brad Takairangi
20. Kenny Bromwich

Coach: Stephen Kearney
Click to expand...

Is there an updated team after the skd submission?
 
ryan.berger.56 said:
Is there an updated team after the skd submission?
Click to expand...

Brad Takairangi replaces him

1. Jordan Kahu
2. Jason Nightingale
18. Brad Takairangi
4. Gerard Beale
5. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
6. Tohu Harris
7. Shaun Johnson
8. Jesse Bromwich (c)
9. Lewis Brown
10. Adam Blair
11. Kevin Proctor
12. Manu Ma'u
13. Jason Taumalolo

14. Kodi Nikorima
15. Greg Eastwood
16. Martin Taupau
17. Sam Moa
20. Kenny Bromwich

Coach: Stephen Kearney
 
Looks like the line up has changed again with Harris going to centre and Nikorima to 5/8.
 
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