JT survives tough fitness session
Darius up for the Slater challenge
DARIUS Boyd has vowed to fight for his Kangaroos and Maroons No.1 jerseys after Billy Slater’s burst of form.
Slater announced he is back with a bang on Sunday, scoring a sizzling brace of tries for Melbourne in his best NRL game in nearly two years.
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga had already selected his squad for Friday’s Anzac Test against New Zealand in Canberra and stuck by Boyd at fullback following his man-ofthe-match performance in last November’s Four Nations final. But Slater is lurking.
A veteran of 25 Tests and 27 Origins, the 33-year-old is in contention to win back the Queensland No.1 jersey that Boyd excelled in last year. He is also expected to be part of the season-ending World Cup.
Boyd, 29, has thrived in the Broncos captaincy this season and said he was ready to fight for the representative positions he earned in Slater’s absence.
“They probably picked the team based on last year (but) I’ve been pretty happy with my form,” said Boyd (pictured).
“Fullback is my preferred position. I don’t want to let it go.
“I take pride in being able to keep the spot.” JOHNATHAN Thurston is a step closer to playing in his farewell Anzac Test in Canberra after his calf survived an early-morning solo session yesterday.
Thurston (pictured) and the Kangaroos medical staff made their way to Manuka Oval in Canberra, where the superstar No.6 was put through a series of running and kicking drills.
Provided he can complete this afternoon’s field session and his calf pulls up fine tomorrow, Thurston will declare himself a certain starter against New Zealand on Friday.
James Maloney is on standby for Thurston and quipped he might try to “kick’’ at his teammate’s calf so he can get a game.
Thurston smiled and said: “He can have a go next year.’’
Thurston completed last Thursday’s captain’s run for North Queensland, only to pull up lame on Friday and be a late scratching against Parramatta that night.
“If there’s a quarter of the soreness or tightness there tomorrow or the next day, I will pull the pin,’’ Thurston said.
“I’m feeling pretty good. The session I did this morning was high intensity and I didn’t feel any soreness.”