Darius Boyd says playing State of Origin football will be the making of Queensland rookies Jharal Yow Yeh and Dane Nielsen just as it was for him after his first game.

Boyd credits his shock Origin selection in 2008 and the influence of master coach Wayne Bennett for the making of him as a player.

He predicts the Origin experience will have a lasting impact on first-timers Yow Yeh and Nielsen.

"It was massive, I think I was only 20 years old when I first got picked and I was probably a shock selection," said Boyd when asked what Origin had done for him as a player.

"I've grown as a player and developed more confidence as I've got older.

"It (Origin) was probably the making of me, getting into this team and learning from the superstars in the side.

"It'll do the same for Dane and Jharal, they'll go to the next level.

"Once you've played Origin you never want to miss out on being part of something so special.

"They'll be the same, they'll play as hard as they can to make sure they don't miss out on them in the future."

Bennett has had an overwhelming influence on Boyd, transforming him from a good player into a world class one.

The 23-year-old thinks so highly of Bennett he followed him from the Broncos to the Dragons in 2009.

And if reports are on the money, he's already signed on to play for Nathan Tinkler's Newcastle Knights - Bennett's next NRL stopover.

As much as he is loyal to Bennett, he'll happily turn Maroon informant on his six Dragons teammates who'll turn out for the Blues on Wednesday night.

In the past it was tough work getting more than two words out of Boyd.

His 42 second interview in 2009 before playing against his former club Brisbane was dubbed the shortest and one of the worst in NRL history.

But like his football, he's more expansive when facing media scrums these days and even handles the tricky questions diplomatically.

His interview at the Valley Boxing Gym in Brisbane opened with a curly one from a journalist who cheekily asked: "who's the better five-eighth, Jamie Soward or Darren Lockyer?"

"I don't have to answer that, do I?," he laughed.

What he did volunteer was Queensland would need to be on guard against Soward's exceptional kicking game and his highly under rated organisational skills.

"Having the combination with Beau Scott and (Mark) Gasnier will be a big help as well," said Boyd, lining up for Origin number nine.

One of the few players picked out of his club position because of his special talent, Boyd says his inside knowledge of Soward's sublime kicking arsenal will help him defend any balls that come his way.

"Being there (Dragons) each week and knowing what he does might help my game in reading his kicks," said Boyd."

Skipper Darren Lockyer said Soward had been knocking on Origin's door.

"He's always had a good kicking game, he's just starting to run the ball a bit more and being coached by Wayne (Bennett) the last couple of years has helped with his maturity and mental toughness, and he's now ready," said the 33-game veteran.

Coach Mal Meninga hasn't asked any of his players for tips, yet.

But Boyd said he was prepared to "spill the beans" later in the week.

"I don't mind, there's not much to spill really," he said.

"It's more about positional play and the little things."

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