State of Origin II: Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater in line to play for Marooms in Sydney clash

KEVIN Walters has given a strong indication Queensland greats Johnathan Thurston and Billy Slater will be back for State of Origin II.

Johnathan Thurston could make his NRL return this weekend.

KEVIN Walters has given a strong indication Queensland greats Johnathan Thurston and Billy Slater will be back for State of Origin II.

The coach also backed Coen Hess for a Maroons berth despite the North Queensland youngster’s comments doubting his readiness.

Walters said Thurston is a good chance to recover from a shoulder injury in time to face NSW in Sydney on June 21.

Johnathan Thurston could make his NRL return this weekend.

“I’d say at the moment he’s probably 70-30 (per cent) of playing,” Walters said.

The star North Queensland playmaker may line up without a hit-out since the Anzac Test last month as doubts remain around his fitness for the Cowboys’ round 14 clash against Parramatta this weekend.

Nonetheless, Walters is happy to see 34-year-old slot in at five-eighth despite Anthony Milford’s “tremendous” performance in the game I loss in Brisbane last week.

“He’s not over the line as yet. He’s got to do some more stuff around his rehabilitation in Townsville,” Walters said.

“He’s hopeful of playing (for North Queensland) this weekend. If he plays this weekend and comes through, then that’s no dramas.”

Walters said Melbourne fullback Slater had bolstered his recall chances with a strong NRL performance against lowly Newcastle on Friday.

“There’s no concern with Billy Slater,” Walter said.

Billy Slater had a great game against the Knights.

“We’ve just seen him get better and better. That’s what we hoped would happen with Billy. He’s right back in the frame now for game II.”

Walters conceded last week’s heavy defeat to NSW may force changes, with forwards Hess and Gold Coast’s Jarrod Wallace a chance to be selected.

He put Hess’ self-doubts down to modesty.

“So I think he was just being a little bit humble, which is a good sign because you don’t want to be throwing yourself out there that you’re the next big thing in Origin. That only brings you undone, doesn’t it?”

Originally published as State of Origin II: Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater in line to play for Marooms in Sydney clash