Jonathan Thurston hopes for Four Nations success on English farwell
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 18/11/16 8:34pm
Johnathan Thurston is hoping to create a lasting memory when he makes his final appearance on English soil this weekend.
The North Queensland stand-off began the 2016 season in Leeds, where he guided the Cowboys to a 38-4 rout of the Rhinos in the annual World Club Challenge in February, and will end it on Sunday in Liverpool where he is bidding to help the Kangaroos wrestle back the Four Nations trophy from New Zealand.
Thurston will add Anfield to an impressive list of iconic venues including Headingley, Old Trafford, Wembley, Elland Road and the London Stadium before he bids a fond farewell to England.
"I'm not a big soccer fan but I'm well aware of Anfield," said Thurston. "It has so much history and I'm looking forward to getting out on the pitch and hopefully creating our own history.
"I've real fond memories of playing on English soil, in fact some of my fondest in the green and gold have been here, winning the Four Nations tournament in '09 and '11 and obviously the [2013] World Cup at Old Trafford.
"I've indicated to Mal [Kangaroos coach Meninga] that it's my goal to make that World Cup squad next year so, providing my form is warranted for selection, I'll be putting my hand up, but that will probably be the end of my representative career."
Although he intends to continue playing for the Cowboys in 2018, the 33-year-old Thurston intends to play in his last State of Origin Series in 2017 and call a halt to his international career after the World Cup, which is being held down under.
"It's going to be sad," he said. "I've loved playing for my country and I've loved playing for my State but it has to come to an end sometime.
"But I'm really excited about the next generation coming through in the green and gold. I've seen at first hand on this tour the highest of standards at training to know that the green and gold is going to be in safe hands when I'm long gone."
Thurston, who 11 months ago won the prestigious Golden Boot award for the player judged to be the best in the world for a record third time, is expected to get his hands on more silverware on Sunday.
However, he knows from past experience it is never safe to write off the Kiwis, who upset the Kangaroos to win the Tri-Nations Series in 2005 and the Four Nations Series two years ago and also lifted the World Cup in 2008.
"Even though they might have just limped into the final, the Kiwis know how to win tournaments and they know how to play in big games," Thurston said.
"Playing in finals brings the best out in players. No doubt it will bring the best out in them."
Australia: D Boyd (Brisbane), B Ferguson (Sydney Roosters), G Inglis (South Sydney), J Dugan (St George Illawarra), V Holmes (Cronulla); J Thurston (North Queensland), C Cronk (Melbourne), M Scott (North Queensland), C Smith (Melbourne, capt), A Woods (Wests Tigers), B Cordner (Sydney Roosters), M Gillett (Brisbane), T Merrin (Penrith).
Subs: D Klemmer (Canterbury), M Morgan (North Queensland), T Frizell (St George Illawarra), S Boyd (Canberra).
New Zealand (probable): J Kahu (Brisbane), D Fusitu'a, S Kata (NZ Warriors), S Kenny-Dowall (Sydney Roosters), J Rapana (Canberra), TM Martin (Penrith), S Johnson, J Bromwich (Melbourne, capt), I Luke (NZ Warriors), A Blair (Brisbane), K Proctor (Melbourne), T Harris (Melbourne), J Taumalolo (North Queensland).
Subs: L Brown (Penrith), M Taupau (Wests Tigers), M Ma'u (Parramatta), G Eastwood (Canterbury Bulldogs), J Tapine (Canberra), J Fisher-Harris (Penrith).
