A test of sorts for Thurston
JOHNATHAN Thurston is a step closer to playing in his farewell Anzac Test after his calf survived an early- morning solo session yesterday.
Thurston and the Kangaroos medical staff made their way to nearby Manuka Oval, 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 in Canberra.
James Maloney is on standby for Thurston and quipped he might try and “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.
He injured his leg in round six against the Wests Tigers.
“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 or anything from it like I did last week.
“In fairness to the team, hopefully by Wednesday I will know. I want to do the whole session tomorrow, and if I get through that unscathed, and wake up Wednesday feeling good, then I’ll know.’’
Thurston said Maloney was “fun to have around, one of the characters in the game and there’s never a dull moment’’.
While it looms as Thurston’s final Anzac Test, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith remain undecided about pulling on the green and gold beyond this season.
Smith has another season to run at Melbourne, while the rugby league world awaits Cronk’s decision on whether he will play on next year.
Maloney said he would prepare as if he was playing, and was delighted to have been retained by coach Mal Meninga after he featured in the successful Four Nations campaign.
Maloney said he was never worried about being suspended for a weekend high shot on Tiger ace James Tedesco, who failed to return in the second half after being clipped.
The cheeky Cronulla half then blamed Tedesco for being too fast.
“It was more of a reaction,’’ Maloney said. “His feet are that quick, I thought he was on my right side, then he was on my left.”