Star Queensland playmaker Johnathan Thurston has been ruled out of next week’s State of Origin opener.
Thurston was named the Maroons’ 18th man as he struggled with a shoulder injury in the lead-up to the Suncorp Stadium clash on Wednesday.
“I’m devastated I won’t be playing next week, but the call needed to be made and it’s the right decision for the team,” Thurston said.
Thurston’s defection because of a shoulder injury ensures Queensland will enter unfamiliar State of Origin territory at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.
It will be the first since Thurston made his Origin debut in 2005 that Queensland will be without their champion playmaker.
Thurston’s injury also brings to an end a run of 36 consecutive Origin games for one of the modern-day greats of rugby league.
He’s been at the Maroons’ helm for 10 series victories in 12 years.
The five-eighth was originally named as 18th man but has struggled with a shoulder problem in the lead-up to the clash in Brisbane.
Thurston’s withdrawal confirms Anthony Milford for his Origin debut at five-eighth.
Johnathan Thurston has been ruled out of the opening match of the 2017 State of Origin series, the Queensland Maroons confirmed today.
“I’m devastated I won’t be playing next week, but the call needed to be made and it’s the right decision for the team,” Thurston said from Camp Maroon on the Gold Coast this morning.
While disappointed at missing out on an opportunity to add to his remarkable tally of 36 consecutive Origin appearances, Thurston is excited about the chance to watch Anthony Milford on debut.
“He’s a dynamic young player and I’m sure he will grab the opportunity with both hands and put in a performance that all of Queensland will be proud of,” the Cowboys playmaker said.
Thurston is planning to stay on in Maroons camp to mentor Milford and offer coach Kevin Walters any assistance he may need.
“It shows a lot about Johnathan’s character, and what this team means to him, that he’s prepared to move on quickly and get behind Anthony, myself and the rest of the team during such a tough period,” Walters said.
“We knew Johnathan was going to be up against it, but because he has been such a great player for us over many years, we strongly believed he deserved to have that chance to prove his fitness.”
Maroons doctor Matt Hislop said while Thurston had made some good early progress on his shoulder injury since the start of camp, he wasn’t where he needed to be.
“We always had a plan that Johnathan had to pass through a number of stages, and if he ever didn’t progress through one of those, we would sit down and make a call,” Hislop said.
“We did some further objective tests late yesterday which showed he had not progressed to the stage where we could move on to the next step of skill work and contact.”
Jarrod Wallace has been added to the Maroons squad as the official 18th man following Thurston’s withdrawal.
The Gold Coast Titans forward is expected to train with the Maroons this afternoon in their first field session.
matth
Guest
I disagree, Cronk, like any of these guys is an important cog in a machine that has run smoothly for 10 years. This year too many of the components have fallen away for Cronk on his own to keep the machine running.
Griffo
Guest
25% actually. There are 4 possible ways the last two games can go and if you've lost the first then only 1 of those wins you the series.
Griffo
Guest
It appears to me that Chambers will be left centre unless Oates is right wing and Gagai left wing.
McTavish
Roar Rookie
Still missing Hodges with those darts out of dummy half that everyone knew were coming but still couldn't stop.
Rob
Guest
Milford is a very similar player to JT. They both have a good dummy and short kick, they test the defensive line and ball play at the line. Remember Boyd is Milford's club fullback and Gillett and Thaiday will be his edge defenders. Both Milford and Morgan are not great defenders but Milford has club combinations that will help. I'm happy JT isn't playing and has made the decision now because it was becoming a distraction for the players being pestered by the media. I would have had Morgan in the centres instead of O'neil. Morgan is a very dangerous edge attacker with speed and the ability to get on the outside of his opposite. He can put his winger away with a clever pass or grubber. Unfortunately Morgan is prone to innocuous handling errors and therefore is not a senior playmaker in my opinion. Munster would have been my 6 because he makes few errors, is a good strong defender, aggressive, competitive and has a combination with Cronk and Smith. I would probably then have put Slater at fullback and had Milford on the bench. In saying that Walters, Smith and the selectors probably have a lot better idea than most of us.
The Koomz
Guest
Jackson is a (bull) dog, he won't worry about Papalli. A lot of play will be directed Milf's way with O'Neill playing out of position at left centre too. Hayne will be asserting himself over there too. Surely NSW must win with JT not playing, surely they must!!
Jimmmy
Guest
Yeah , Rellum I thought that as well, Easing Milf into Origin may be the right ploy. Morgs and Cronk look a good combo to me and Milf coming on when things settle down a bit . Interesting to see which way they go.
Steve
Guest
Sammy will come on and protect him too. I don't think too many will be wanting to run at Papali either...
Rellum
Roar Guru
I would rather players put QLD ahead of their clubs personally. I am genuinely surprised that Milf got in ahead of Morgan. They have had a good system of bring in players onto then bench then the first team. It would not surprise me to so Milf and Morgan swap spots come game day.
Griffo
Guest
Agree, KC, but likewise think going into this game not ready might put undue pressure on his maroons team mates if he goes down. His 36 straight origin matches is an amazing record, although I don't think he should have broken the record as he was clearly hampered in Game 1 2013 (his 25th and record breaking game). That may have cost Queensland the game and I think it's wise that he's been ruled out early this time.
Albo
Guest
One things for sure is that he will be getting plenty of tackling practise ! He will have a lot of traffic directed at him. And he is on the wrong side to have Gillett covering for him. Looks like Papalii ( & Smith) will be in for some overtime in defence ? QLD might rue leaving out "left side protector" Gavin Cooper this year ?
Emcie
Roar Guru
I think that what cost QLD in 2014 was more their refusal to change the gameplan once cronk was out then cronk actually being out, but as you said, milf for thurston doesn't change their structure as much as DCE for cronk
MrJSquishy
Roar Pro
Yep, I reckon having his Broncos team mates around will make a big difference. I think the loss of Cronk in 2014 is what cost QLD that year. I don't think Milf in for Thurston is changing too much. It does give QLD a bit more of a combination on the left side of the field (Thaiday, Oates & Boyd). So, he should fit in much easier than it would have been for Cherry-Evans in 2014...
Jara W
Guest
They'll do just about anything to outfox Wayne
Emcie
Roar Guru
You never know until they play, but he's got big game experience and was arguably the best player in the 2015 GF. Milf will be pretty similar to thurston in just playing whats in front of him while cronk and smith direct play. He's also got a lot of broncos team mates around him that hes already got combinations with. The only real question mark for me is how he'll handle the extra agression thrown his way
Emcie
Roar Guru
He's gone mate, Wallace has been named 18th man now
Raugeee
Guest
I don't know enough about Milford. Is he up to it? Chucking any player, on debut! into 5/8th, Game 1 - wow - incredible pressure. Last QLDer to play 5/8 for the first time, in Game 1 (that I can remember) is Karmichael Hunt in 2008. It was a disaster with NSW cruising to victory. Admittedly 5/8 wasn't Hunt's normal position but still - if you lose Game 1 you only have 33% chance to win the series. Will Milf's style of play suit Cronk and the team?
Joe
Roar Rookie
Good that they decided early to give Milford every chance with his preparation.
KingCowboy
Guest
As a Cowboy fan first, I am happy about this decision. Would have been dirty if JT did his shoulder and then found out he was done for the rest of the year.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'll believe that 60 minutes from kickoff when the team sheet reads 6. Anthony Milford 7. Cooper Cronk