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Queensland star Johnathan Thurston back to '100 per cent' ahead of State of Origin II

A firing Johnathan Thurston is plotting payback after admitting he was "found out" by the Blues in the most humiliating performance of his Origin career.

A FIT and firing Johnathan Thurston is plotting payback after admitting he was "found out" by the Blues in the most humiliating performance of his record-breaking Origin career.

The Maroons team for Origin II is named tomorrow and Thurston will enter camp at optimum fitness after successfully testing his groin in a sizzling display against the Dragons on Friday night.

Thurston's masterclass in Wollongong was a world away from his night of misery at ANZ Stadium, where the Maroons ace paid the price for trying to take his injured groin into Origin I.

The injury immobilised Thurston in defence, rendering him a virtual passenger as Luke Lewis ran riot on Queensland's left edge, amassing 176m to claim man-of-the-match honours.

Thurston was later inconsolable as he dissected a performance that tainted his record 25th consecutive Origin game for the Maroons.

Speaking for the first time about his forgettable Origin I display, Thurston pledged not to be exposed again. He said he has a score to settle with the Blues at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday week.

"It was a lesson that you can't carry anyone in Origin," said Thurston, who celebrated the birth of daughter Frankie Louise two days after Queensland's series-opening 14-6 loss.

"I felt comfortable with (the decision to play), but when defending, I had no power in my groin and that's what I was disappointed about the most.

"To be honest, I got found out a few times by Luke Lewis. They were certainly targeting me there in defence.

"I'm looking forward to getting back and proving myself in Origin II."

Thurston's struggles had a residual effect on the Maroons' structures at ANZ Stadium. Halfback Cooper Cronk was assigned most general-play kicking and compiled 487m, 77 per cent of Queensland's kick-metres in Origin I.

But in an ominous sign for the Blues, Thurston says he is back to the peak of his powers. "My groin is back to 100 per cent ... I'm feeling good again so no qualms there."

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/queensland-star-johnathan-thurston-back-to-100-per-cent-ahead-of-state-of-origin-ii/news-story/584a5b24837b9a3bb96d781c0181bbac