League: Struggling Boyd finding redemption at camp

Darius Boyd. Photo / APN

Out of form and, by all reports, left out of pocket by controversial Newcastle NRL owner Nathan Tinkler.

It would be fair to say Darius Boyd's head space was a major concern when he arrived at the Queensland State of Origin camp.

But Maroons teammate and friend Greg Inglis says the Queensland camp's family atmosphere has been able to "reform" the out-of-sorts winger before next week's series opener in Brisbane.

Boyd needed a confidence boost after a nightmare NRL season start with the troubled Newcastle Knights.

Tinkler's three-year ownership of Newcastle is under a cloud after he failed to pay the wages of several staff last week, reportedly including Boyd and coach Wayne Bennett.

What was already a messy situation became uglier amid reports Boyd had received abusive text messages from Tinkler, including one that suggested he would be traded before the NRL's June 30 transfer window. Loyalty ensured Boyd was still picked for his 18th Origin despite amassing just one try, two line breaks and five errors in seven NRL games this year.

He had remained tight-lipped in the Origin camp and was sheltered from the team's main media session.

But Inglis provided a rare insight, saying the loyalty shown by selectors and the Origin camp atmosphere had done wonders for the winger.

"If you are not going great for your club and they still pick you, you come here and they can reform you."

Inglis said he relished lining up alongside Boyd again for Queensland where they have formed a deadly combination as the best centre-wing partnership in Origin history.

Inglis is the Origin try record-holder with 15 in 21 games - and Boyd is not far behind with 12 from 17.

The Rabbitohs No 1 said he felt at home in the centres despite early season calls for him to replace Billy Slater as the Queensland fullback.

-AAP