Thurston: Corvo shaping Warriors
Cowboys co-captain Johnathan Thurston believes the Warriors are finally playing to their potential and credits trainer Alex Corvo for getting the best out of hooker Issac Luke.
Thurston became the latest big name Australian player to sing the praises of Corvo, following his side’s 22-12 NRL defeat to the Warriors at a sold-out Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday, a day after Melbourne captain Cameron Smith credited the highperformance guru for transforming the Warriors into an 80-minute team.
The former Australia and Queensland maestro previously worked under Corvo during his time as trainer of the Kangaroos (2009-2015) and the Maroons (20016-2017) and said it was obvious he had made his mark on the Warriors.
Thurston cited Luke’s trim physique as evidence of what Corvo has been able to achieve, after the former Kiwis hooker produced another impressive display with 15 runs and 32 tackles, including a crunching hit on the Cowboys playmaker midway through the second half.
“They’re probably finally playing to their potential,” Thurston said. “Alex Corvo, having been trained by him in the representative teams, they look a lot fitter and look a lot stronger. Issac Luke is looking the best he has in a few years so they’re finally starting to put it together.”
The unbeaten Warriors continue to defy expectations and remain second on the NRL ladder behind St George Illawarra, but Thurston said he was not surprised by their earlyseason form. The 34-year-old felt the Cowboys failed to make the most of their attacking chances, but believes the Warriors’ improved attitude on defence has been the secret to their success.
“Not in my eyes. You look at their side, they’ve got talent all across the park,” he said. “But there were some areas that were there for the taking, we just didn’t execute well in that first half when we applied a fair bit of pressure to them. They’re defending well. They’ve always been a side that can attack but their defence is what’s winning them games.”
Corvo was humbled by Thurston’s comments but stressed the fact that he is a part of a team of football staff following the lead of coach Stephen Kearney.
“That’s nice of [Thurston] to say but I certainly can’t take all the credit,” Corvo said. “I’m just a small part and, to be fair, all of the staff and the players are doing exactly what we need to and you don’t get those sorts of performances unless everyone is doing their job on and off the field.”
Luke was amused when told Thurston had noted his improved physical shape, but said the side’s game plan and newfound energy had helped his individual performance.
The pair’s relationship goes back to 2004, when Luke played under20s at the Canterbury Bulldogs during Thurston’s last season at Belmore.
“Everyone’s starting to notice that I’m looking a little bit fitter, but it’s probably just down to the game plan and the high energy that the boys are bringing every week,” Luke said.
“But I just put that down to everyone else around me doing their job which makes my job a lot easier.”
Luke chuckled when asked about the shot that shook Thurston, saying his old mate was looking to milk a penalty. However, the NRL match review committee yesterday hit him with a grade one charge for a careless high tackle with a base penalty of a $1500 fine, but an early guilty plea will see that reduced to $1100.
“He tried to get a penalty, but I said, ‘oh, come on, Jono’. I mean, he was going down and I was going up.”
Another bumper crowd is expected to turn out on Saturday when the Warriors will look to make it six in a row when they host the Broncos who suffered an upset 15-10 loss to Newcastle on Saturday.
The Gold Coast Titans were too good for Manly, outscoring them five tries to three in a 32-20 win. The Titans were forced to hold off a Manly fightback but tries to Anthony Don and Arrow in the last six minutes at Marley Brown Oval in Gladstone in central Queensland ensured Garth Brennan’s side jumped into the top eight.
A gutsy Penrith have consigned Parramatta to their fifth straight loss at the start of the season, holding on to beat them 12-6. After they led 10-0 at halftime the Panthers held out set after set on their own line after the break to keep themselves entrenched in the competition’s top four.