The "big country kid" is now a Four Nations winner, and Canberra Raiders captain Jarrod Croker expects Shannon Boyd to return as a leader of the pack after representing Australia.
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Croker says Boyd "would have learned a lot" playing with and against world class players in the international tournament.
Boyd ran for 109 metres and made 18 tackles in just 27 minutes to help the Kangaroos back to number one in the world against New Zealand in a 34-8 victory.
"He's been playing so well over there and for him to get that opportunity and win that game with the Kangaroos is massive," Croker said.
"I'm just really excited for Boydy to have a good break now and come back and be one of our leaders. He can certainly be a leader now and he's a leader of the forward pack as well."
The Raiders have begun pre-season training but will be without their five internationals (Boyd, Joseph Tapine, Jordan Rapana, Elliott Whitehead, and Josh Hodgson) until January.
The Four Nations stars have been given a break following representative duties, allowing newly re-signed hooker Kurt Baptiste to take on a more significant role at training in Hodgson's absence.
"I think it would be a great experience over there," Baptiste said.
"They'll bring a lot of confidence to the squad and they'll probably be better players for it.
"I'm sure they'll come back in good nick after Christmas and will be able to hit the ground running there."
Among the group is former Gold Coast Titan Dave Taylor who was handed a train and trial opportunity by coach Ricky Stuart. Taylor spent last year in the English Super League before being released by Catalans from his two-year contract. If the hulking forward impresses, he could earn a Raiders contract.
Baptiste says Taylor and Boyd could form an imposing trio of big bodies up front alongside Junior Paulo.
"Boydy's has had a great year last year and he's had a great Four Nations," Baptiste said.
"He'll be massive again next year I'm sure and once Dave Taylor and him get into training I'm sure there's an opportunity for them to get a partnership there if they're training well and going well."
Raiders captain Jarrod Croker is looking forward to seeing the one-time Test player finally get his chance at Raiders HQ.
"I see that he's been training pretty well up there on the Gold Coast so I think he's pretty excited and raring to go as well," Croker said.
"Dave's very excited and I know he's ready to rip in. If he goes out there and rips in then who knows what could happen.
"It's all up to him now and I'm excited to see him go well."
Taylor has struggled with his weight during his career and the former Queensland and Kangaroos forward will return to the Gold Coast for sentencing for cocaine possession at Southport District Court on Wednesday.
The 28-year-old has played one Test for Australia and made eight State of Origin appearances in a career that has also included stints at the Brisbane Broncos, South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Gold Coast Titans.
The Raiders have a shorter pre-season than usual following their preliminary final finish in the 2016 season and Croker says the squad is "itching to get back into it".
"It certainly won't be as long and as draining as previous years have been," Croker said.
"We get back after Christmas and then it's only a couple of weeks in and then the trials and the Nines and that sort of stuff start, so yeah it'll be tough but it'll be a little bit shorter as well."
