JT NOT LIKELY
JOHNATHAN Thurston is at long odds to play in Origin I with Cowboys medical experts rating the injured Maroons maestro an unlikely starter for the series opener.
Queensland coach Kevin Walters will take a major gamble – and risk a week of soap- opera speculation – by naming Thurston in his side on Monday for Origin I at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday week.
The mind games on Thurston’s fitness hit overdrive yesterday, with the Cowboys champion briefly taking part in the captain’s run ahead of tonight’s clash against Cronulla in Sydney.
Thurston, battling a minor rotator- cuff tear, warmed up with Cowboys teammates during their final training run at Leichhardt Oval. He also did some light running, but when the Cowboys rampedup their session with contact work, Thurston headed for the sidelines.
Cowboys coach Paul Green has warned Thurston is one setback away from surgery, suggesting he will resist pitchforking him into a battle with the premiership- winning Sharks pack.
Walters is determined to give Thurston every chance to play in Origin I but time is against him. News Corp understands North Queensland’s highperformance unit is not as confident as Walters, with one insider saying Thurston will “struggle” to be fit for his 37th straight Origin game.
There are fears Thurston’s injury battle could disrupt Queensland’s preparations for Origin I by sitting out crucial training sessions as the media speculate on his fitness.
Maroons selector Darren Lockyer is adamant Queensland hierarchy will have an early contingency plan in place, with Michael Morgan set to be placed on standby for Thurston at fiveeighth.
“You have to give JT every opportunity to play,” Lockyer said.
“You have to put trust in him that he will make the right decision for the team.
“We will have a plan B in mind early in the week.
“In the event Thursto can’t play, his replacement will be ready come game day.”
While he believes Thurston can heal sufficiently in camp, as he did with a calf injury to play for Australia in the Anzac Test, Walters pledged to consult Cowboys medicos.
“We’ll speak to their medical staff after this weekend’s game and go from there,” he said.