Lack of game time no problem for JT
Green says key man can handle Origin despite limited preparation
PAUL Green has backed star playmaker Johnathan Thurston to handle the rigours of Origin II, even if he does not play for the Cowboys this weekend.
The veteran half has only played one game since early April after he first fell victim to a calf tear against the Tigers and then suffered a shoulder injury in the May Test for Australia.
It is understood Thurston is rated as an outside chance to play on Saturday against the Eels in Darwin, but he is working hard to prove his fitness in a bid to get one match under his belt before Origin II on June 21. He has been named as 19th man for the Cowboys this weekend.
Green said they would assess Thurston on a daily basis ahead of the Parramatta clash, with the team due to fly out tomorrow.
But the Cowboys coach is confident that if he cannot play on Saturday, and the shoulder is ready for game two, then Thurston will be mentally prepared regardless of his lack of game time.
“He’s played enough Origins now that he knows what to expect and he knows how to get himself ready,” Green said.
“As long as his shoulder is strong and he’s fit from all the testing and the stuff he has to tick off ... I’ve got no doubt he’ll handle the build-up and the prep of that being his first game for a while.
“He’s still a chance (to play Saturday) but it’s a day-to-day thing. We’ll see how he goes (today) and how he pulls up from that and go from there.”
With Ray Thompson ruled out with a knee injury, young Townsville half Kyle Laybutt is the current favourite to partner Michael Morgan in Darwin if Thurston is unable to play.
The 21-year-old has been close to making his NRL debut on a number of occasions this year but hasn’t been able to crack the 17.
It could be heartbreak again for Laybutt if Thurston does prove his fitness, but Green said the young gun’s time was certainly coming.
“At some point you’ve got to find out about these young guys,” Green said.
“It’s a good opportunity to do that.”