Kev warns clubs to keep out

QUEENSLAND coach Kevin Walters says he won’t be bullied by NRL mentors and will pick Johnathan Thurston for Origin II even if the champion playmaker is ruled out by the Cowboys this week.

Just days after insisting Coen Hess is not ready for State of Origin, Cowboys coach Paul Green faces losing his best player Thurston to another Origin camp with lingering doubts over his fitness.

If Thurston (shoulder) fails to play against the Eels on Saturday in Darwin, the Cowboys ace risks going into Origin II in Sydney with one just game under his belt in 74 days.

Walters has endured a testing series thus far, butting heads with Broncos coach Wayne Bennett, who had threatened not to release Anthony Milford for Origin I.

Green has since attempted to defuse the hype surrounding Hess, prompting Maroons great Gorden Tallis to lash club coaches, telling them to butt out of Origin selection.

Walters insists there is no bad blood with Green or Bennett but vowed to pick the side without fear or favour.

“I am going to pick JT for Game Two and give him every chance to play,” Walters said.

“It amazes me the reaction we’ve had to me just wanting to pick the best players.”