Johnathan Thurston says it’s ‘open slather’ on halves after NRL fails to punish Knights enforcers

JOHNATHAN Thurston is confident the Cowboys big men have his back amid fears the NRL have declared “open slather” on off the ball hits.

North Queensland Cowboys v Newcastle Knights from 1300 Smiles Stadium, Townsville. Cowboys Jonathan Thurston a 2 point loss to the Knights. Picture: Zak Simmonds

JAMES Tamou has vowed to protect Johnathan Thurston while the North Queensland superstar is confident the Cowboys big men have his back amid fears the NRL have declared “open slather” on off the ball hits.

Thurston was still upset on Wednesday that the NRL failed to adequately punish the foul play by Newcastle forwards against him last week, fearing the door was now open for more clubs to repeat the punishment in the coming weeks.

Test skipper Cameron Smith came out in strong support of Thurston on Tuesday and 75 per cent of The Courier-Mail readers agreed on a website poll that Scott was a serial offender for late hits.

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Thurston cops some rough treatment from Knights Chris Houston and Beau Scott.

“I suppose it’s game on now. You can do that and get away with it,” Thurston said.

“I think a lot of teams will bring that into their game plans now and I think it’s open slater.”

The champion halfback said he may need to look at where he can hide in the defensively line once again and play “smarter” in attack not to give the cheap shot merchants a free hit.

The Cowboys forwards were furious referees allowed the Knights to target Thurston so blatantly and have vowed to take their own action if it is not appropriately policed in the future.

“They’re a little bit disappointed with what happened but certainly I know they’ve got my back,” he said.

“We’ve got each other’s back so I’m not disappointed in that area of the game.

“Like I said it seems you can get away with a lot more now so it’s open slather.”

Tamou has promised to step in and protect the chief playmaker, prepared to fight fire with fire now that they know the rules can be stretched to certain limits.

“It’s our job as the big men in the middle to protect him more,” Tamou said.

“In lines with the rules of course, but we can’t let that happen ... ‘Johnno’ (Thurston) is our main guy and teams after seeing that on the weekend, will be determined to do that more often.”

Broncos legend Shane Webcke however believes the Cowboys have been too sensitive with the whole debate and the problem was “blown well out of proportion”.

Images of Thurston’s injuries have caused outcry.

Brisbane host North Queensland in an explosive derby at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night and Webcke has called for calm before the two teams lock horns.

“This is an overreaction, it’s been blown well out of proportion,” Webcke said.

“It is an issue that comes up every so often and it comes up because a prominent guy like Johnathan Thurston has a rare occasion where he is hit off the ball.

“I don’t know if the Cowboys are being sensitive about JT, but it’s not an epidemic.

“There are lineball moments most weeks but there is an inherent risk when you are the kicker and the defence is putting pressure on.

“The game has always had a framework around blokes not being able to do that. When it happens to a bloke like Thurston, obviously it brings a lot of headlines.

“He’s tough as teak and to be honest, the rules are there. You can’t tackle blokes off the ball, but we have a drama in our game and people go nuts.

“Every kicker in the game gets targeted, not just Thursto. I haven’t heard him whinge about it but he can handle himself.

“While our blokes will apply a certainly amount of pressure, no-one at the Broncos is going to deliberately hit him off the ball, I am certain of that.

“It’s been part of the game for 100 years. Every now and then, someone will get whacked late but I’m of the firm belief players are not going out there to hurt or maim someone.”

James Tamou says the Cowboys will be more wary of opposition targeting Thurston.

Broncos assistant coach Kevin Walters said the NRL rules were strong enough as they were enforced.

“The kickers all need more protection,’’ Walters said. “The rules are pretty black and white and as long as it’s policed in the right manner we shouldn’t have a problem.

“You shouldn’t be allowed to attack the legs and clean blokes up. That’s not safe and we have to eliminate that.

“Sure, put pressure on them and make the tackle, as long as it’s within the rules. We are just starting to pull it back in a bit. Like everything, some guys like to bend the rules a bit.

“The less time you give JT, the more it will help your side.’’