Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold has had a crack at Roosters five-eighth Luke Keary in a bid to ease the pressure on his under-performing skipper Darius Boyd.
Boyd made just two metres from one run in the Broncos’ unimpressive win over the Cowboys last round, continuing a trend of sub-standard displays this year.
Seibold shifted Boyd to five-eighth in a bid to get more from him and appears comfortable with his captain’s form.
"Darius for whatever reason seems to be an easy target,” the Brisbane coach said on Thursday.
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"I had a look through the competition last weekend, there is an Australian No.6 (Keary) playing for a team in Sydney who only made four metres last week and missed five tackles.
"Not one thing was said in the media about that.
"For whatever reason because Darius only had one run, he has been crucified all week from what I understand.
"I just think everyone needs to back off on Darius."
Seibold pointed out Boyd was not a running five-eighth and he wants him leading the team around the park.
"His job is to organise our team. He is not a (Anthony) Milford who is going to take the line on," Seibold said.
"He is a leader and getting better and better at it.
"We have a hooker (Jake Turpin) playing seven and a fullback (Boyd) playing at six but that is where they are best suited for our team.”
Brisbane host Penrith at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night in a game vital to both sides’ finals hopes.