Boyd will join the Titans on a four-year contract reportedly worth $2.4 million and Vautin says he hopes Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has a plan for next season. "They’ll suffer because for me the great sides, the ones that win comps, have not just two props but four, you also need two strong ones coming off the bench," Vautin said. Loading "I don’t care what anyone says, props win you comps, it starts with them and if they're doing their job then everyone follows. "Look at the great teams over the years, Glenn Lazarus won five comps and was one of the greatest props of all time, he just led the way.

"This is going to hurt them be because you can't beat size and they [Boyd and Paulo] are two big lads. "I just love big, strong, hard and props and they're going to miss them. Ricky is a pretty smart guy but I just hope they've got contingency plan." Raiders recruitment manager Peter Mulholland said earlier this week Boyd knocked back a three-year offer from Canberra, and Stuart admitted the club wasn't going to try to compete with "astronomical" offers from rivals. Goulburn-born Boyd came through the Raiders junior system and played his 100th NRL game last week. The 25-year-old played four Tests for Australia in 2016 and his return to form this season will push his case for a State of Origin debut for the NSW Blues next month.

Boyd's exit follows reports Paulo is considering a lucrative return to Parramatta, with a four-year, $2.7 million offer being tabled for the Samoan international. "They are off contract and I want to keep every one of them, but I can't pay the huge money that is being offered to these boys," Stuart said recently. Loading "And if Junior and Boydy are getting this astronomical money from other clubs, they go with my best wishes." Vautin emphasised it was tough for the Raiders to compete with cashed-up clubs like the Titans and said the Queensland lifestyle would have been a factor.

"The Titans have money to spend and it's pretty hard for Shannon to knock back good money and getting to live on the Gold Coast, it all comes into it," Vautin said. "I can't blame him for going, he's a world-class footballer who wants to do the best for himself and I can't knock him for that." Raiders winger Nick Cotric said Boyd's departure will leave a hole at the club. "Boydy is a good fella and probably had to do what was right for him. He'll be a big loss, but that's footy," Cotric said. "The boys will do as much as we can this year so he can leave on a good note."

Gold Coast coach Garth Brennan said: "[Boyd] is an imposing figure that will bring some much-needed size to our pack." Titans chief executive Graham Annesley believes Boyd's signing is proof rival players consider the club - who are 15th on the NRL table - a strong chance of future success. Boyd marks the Titans' second major signature in three days with Queensland representative Jarrod Wallace re-signing until the end of 2022. They've also secured Penrith utility Tyrone Peachey on a two-year deal beginning next season. "Shannon's signing shows that quality players are buying into the inevitable success of the Titans in the years ahead," Annesley said.