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Darius Boyd -
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St George Illawarra fullback Darius Boyd has described Parramatta opposite Jarryd Hayne as the best in the world - and the Dragons star wants to be just like him.
Boyd, still adjusting to life in the No.1 jumper after spending his first three years in the NRL on the wing, admits he is doing his best to imitate the man he will go head to head with in Friday night's season-opener at Parramatta Stadium.
"He's definitely the greatest in the game at the moment so it's going to be a big challenge," Boyd said of taking on Hayne.
"He's one of those guys you've got to watch to mould your game around and see what you can take out of his game as well.
"It's my second year at fullback, I'm still learning and trying to get better and better each week and I can definitely take some things out of his game."
While Hayne is in Boyd's thoughts this week ahead of the clash with the Eels, Dragons coach Wayne Bennett would prefer to see him play more like former Brisbane custodian Karmichael Hunt.
Boyd has been heavily involved in the Dragons attack during the pre-season, with the sweeping wrap-around move made famous by Broncos duo Hunt and Darren Lockyer now the domain of Boyd and Ben Hornby.
And while he claims his try-scoring drought didn't affect him, there's little doubt Boyd would want a better return than the two he delivered in his debut season with the red and whites.
"Last year I probably lacked a bit in support (play)," Boyd said.
"I'm just trying to help the forwards out and be a bit more involved around the park."
Sure to be heavily involved in the action on Friday night is Justin Poore, with the former Dragon set to play his first game against his old club.
Poore was favoured in the Eels run-on side ahead of fan-favourite Fuifui Moimoi, with the early exchanges expected to have a little extra feeling between the former teammates.
"He's a good mate but we're not really going to be worrying about Poore, we'll just worry about our own job," Dragons prop Dan Hunt said.
"We're not worried about how big they are, we've got our job to do, we're just going to get out there and meet fire with fire."
Dragons centre Matt Cooper was named to play but remains in
doubt due to a hamstring injury, with former Bronco Nick Emmett on
standby.
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