Johnathan Thurston

Thurston injury adds to Cowboys' woes

Regular fullback Lachlan Coote missed the match against Wests Tigers with a calf injury of his own and hooker Jake Granville is out for up to six weeks with a broken leg. Utility Ben Hampton deputised at hooker on Saturday night, but may now be needed in the halves.

History beckons for Smith, Thurston

Now Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston can etch their names into the history books as they close in on the magical mark of 2,000 points in the NRL.

Only four players – Hazem El Masri (2,418 points), Andrew Johns (2,176), Jason Taylor (2,107) and Daryl Halligan (2,034) – have achieved the feat, and it would be fitting if these two modern-day superstars joined the illustrious list.

Thurston names his successor

Thurston has been a mainstay in the Queensland side, playing all 36 matches since making his debut in 2005 in an incredible display of durability.

Indigenous All Stars romp to win thanks to JT masterclass

Man of the match Thurston turned the game early in the second half, scoring a key try before laying on an inch-perfect kick for Dane Gagai to seal the result on Friday night in front of 20,241 fans at McDonald Jones Stadium.

After Mel Meninga's World team scored two tries in the shadows of half-time to make a game of it at 16-8, the Indigenous side found another gear.

First, Parramatta speedster Bevan French, who looks set to build on his standout rookie year, put in a curling chip off the side of his boot which bounced up for Thurston.

Thurston pleads for Scott to stay

At 31 years of age Scott has already spoken about the need to make his next contract one that best serves his family which is professional athlete code for the need to cash in before the body can finally take no more.

Thurston confirms end to rep career in 2017

At the conclusion of his first week back at training with the North Queensland Cowboys Thurston spoke to the media on Friday and confirmed that he would step down from representative football after the 2017 Rugby League World Cup but is yet to ink an extension to stay with the Cowboys for what would be a 14th season with the club in 2018.

Thurston needs protection, Meninga says

Thurston was collared early in a high tackle by Kiwis enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves in Australia's 26-6 in Perth on Saturday.

The Australian five-eighth was smashed soon after in a borderline tackle by Martin Taupau.

Thurston takes control of Maroons

The Maroons conducted an extensive opposed session on the Gold Coast on Sunday morning and while Cronk's absence as he attempts to recover from an ankle injury was expected, not having Manly half Daly Cherry-Evans on standby was something of a surprise.

Cherry-Evans returned to his Manly home as Queensland finalise their preparations for Game One of the 2016 Holden State of Origin Series hopeful that Cronk will play but by no means certain.

Queensland not giving up on Cooper Cronk, says Johnathan Thurston

Thurston said Cronk, who rolled his ankle at training on Friday, had earned the right to be given until the last minute to prove his fitness.

Queensland doctor Matt Hislop said precautionary scans on Cronk's injury were encouraging and it was hoped aggressive treatment would ensure the half-back was ready to play New South Wales.

Fears ease over Thurston's fitness

While all members of the squad took part in the session Thurston did skip some of the tackling drills but ran freely and did plenty of kicking practice, showing few ill effects from the hard knock he copped from Queensland teammate Josh McGuire in the Cowboys-Broncos classic last Friday night.

It wouldn't be a Queensland Origin camp without an 'injury scare' of some sort but Inglis rejected the notion that it in any way would put Thurston in doubt for Game One of the 2016 Holden State of Origin Series at ANZ Stadium. 

"It's just a bruise, he'll get over it," Inglis said.