Darius Boyd accepts Queensland Maroons head coach role for 2027

The Queensland Maroons have officially appointed Darius Boyd as head coach for the next two seasons. Boyd steps into the position following the departure of Billy Slater, who concluded his tenure after the 2026 series. Previously, Boyd served as the coach of the Queensland under-19 side for two years. He beat out other candidates for the role, including 2026 assistant coaches Ben Te'o and Matt Ballin. QRL chairman Brian Canavan cited Boyd's deep understanding of the team's culture and his developmental work with young players as key reasons for his selection. It remains undecided whether Te'o and Ballin will retain their positions on the coaching staff. Boyd previously recorded 337 NRL appearances throughout his playing career.

• 4:06 AMZero Tackle NRL — Queensland Maroons confirm new head coach