Darius Boyd has been appointed as the new Queensland Maroons State of Origin coach, taking over from Billy Slater, who stepped down after five years in the role. The Queensland Rugby League confirmed on Thursday that Boyd will begin the two-year appointment in 2027, with the former Broncos and St George Illawarra star describing it as a "privileged position" that carries the responsibility of building on the legacy left by past Queensland players and coaches.

Boyd, a 337-game NRL veteran who played 28 State of Origin matches and 23 Tests for Australia, previously served on Kevin Walters' Broncos coaching staff and led Queensland's under-19s to consecutive interstate wins. He plans to draw on the guidance of his former mentors Wayne Bennett and Mal Meninga, with Bennett having already offered his support to the new coach. QRL chairman Brian Canavan said Boyd, who has more formal coaching experience than Slater had when he was appointed, stood out as the strongest candidate to build on the programme Slater leaves behind after winning three of five series.