WALTERS COULD GAMBLE WITH JT

QUEENSLAND coach Kevin Walters will have no qualms thrusting Cowboys star Johnathan Thurston straight into the State of Origin hot seat, even if he fails to prove his fitness for Saturday’s clash with Parramatta in Darwin.

Thurston ( pictured) is rated only an outside chance of overcoming a shoulder injury to play his 299th NRL game against the Eels, his last chance to blow out the cobwebs before the Maroons side is named next week.

If Thurston doesn’t play, he would have played just one game, for Australia, in 74 days before Queensland attempts to keep the series alive in Sydney on June 21.

But Walters said the halfback’s superb performance in Australia’s win over New Zealand on May 5, in his return from a month out with a calf problem, proved he can hit the ground running.

“I’d say at the moment he’s probably 70- 30 of playing, ( but) he’s not over the line as yet and has to do some more stuff around his rehabilitation in Townsville,” Walters told Sky Sports Radio yesterday.

“He’s hopeful of playing this weekend, but we’d even be prepared to play him if he didn’t play because of his standing in the game.

“He showed in the Test he can miss four or five weeks of football and hit the ground running.

“It would be a huge boost to get him back in the side.

“No disrespect to Anthony Milford but there’s only one Johnathan Thurston.”

The Cowboys have proven they can perform without their main man by winning two of their past three matches.

Meanwhile, Walters put Cowboys back- rower Coen Hess’s claims he wasn’t ready for Origin after just 21 NRL games down to modesty. Hess downplayed his chances after Saturday’s home win over Gold Coast, despite starring playing in the middle third.

“I think he was downplaying himself and on his performances you’d think he’d be ready to have a good crack if selected,” Walters said.

“He’s a big unit and he runs hard, and his defence is sound.

“I think he was being humble more than anything which is a good sign. You don’t want to put yourself out there that you’re the next big thing in Origin because that only brings you undone.

“On what he’s shown so far I believe he’d be able to handle the step up in class, no problems.”

Cowboys coach Paul Green insisted “it’s still a little too soon” to throw the 20- year- old into Origin after the Titans match.

But retired stalwart Corey Parker said on Fox Sports on Sunday there’s only one way to find out.

“I can’t remember in recent times a player saying they are ready. The only way they’re going to find out is being put in that arena,” he said.

“I think the comments coming from Coen are a bit modest to be honest. He’s a prolific tryscorer ( nine this year) for the amount of games he’s played.

“I’ve got no doubt he’ll be there for Game Two.

“He’s made too much of a noise not to be picked and 10 minutes before or after halftime ( to put him on) would be great. ”

Mick Ennis added the older Maroons forwards’ agility was exposed in Origin I, and Hess is a calculated gamble Queensland must take.

“I’ve got no doubt he’ll be there, they were overpowered with leg speed in the middle third and they need a young tearaway,” Ennis said.