State of Origin 2017: Anthony Milford can reign for Queensland, says Johnathan Thurston

JOHNATHAN Thurston has backed Anthony Milford to fire in Origin I after the rookie five-eighth completed his first training session with the Maroons.

Milford has been challenged to show he is ready. (Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

JOHNATHAN Thurston has backed Anthony Milford to fire in Origin I after the rookie five-eighth completed his first training session with the Maroons.

After two days of uncertainty, Milford now has clarity, with the Broncos sensation officially cleared to make his Origin debut at Suncorp Stadium this Wednesday night following the withdrawal of the injured Thurston.

Thurston’s scratching came just hours before the Maroons had their first training run at Sanctuary Cove - giving Milford the platform to build a rapport with halfback Cooper Cronk.

Cronk rolled his ankle at last year’s corresponding session but this time there were no mishaps. Veteran prop Nate Myles sat out the session, briefly consulting medicos before departing to rest his injured knee.

HOPE: Don’t fret Qld fans, Milf’s the man

GUTTED: JT might not make game two

Milford has been challenged to show he is ready. (Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Milford trained at five-eighth while utility Michael Morgan ran with the forwards in a clear sign the Broncos ace will start in the series opener.

Milford was later invited to what Cronk termed a “spine meeting” of Queensland’s playmakers, which included hooker Cameron Smith and fullback Darius Boyd.

It is fitting that Milford should replace Thurston. As a teenager, Milford was rated by scouts as Queensland’s most gifted talent since a young Thurston was spotted by the Bulldogs at a schoolboy carnival.

Milford is looking comfortable in Camp Maroon. He has previously been invited for extended squads and has five Broncos colleagues in this camp - Boyd, Sam Thaiday, Matt Gillett, Josh McGuire and Corey Oates.

Thurston was shattered to have his record 36-game streak broken, but has put aside the pain to act as a mentor for Milford, shaping him for the biggest game of his career.

“Kevvie (coach Kevin Walters) asked me to do that (mentor Milford),” Thurston said. “As long as the boys want me here, I am more than happy to stay around in this environment.

“I spoke to Milf. I congratulated him first. He can get that clarity now and start preparing. He just needs to worry about getting his preparation right. We’re not asking him to go over and beyond, he just has to do his job and no doubt he will do that.

“Milf is a super talent ... I love watching him play.”

Thurston will be around to mentor Anthony Milford. Photo: Peter Wallis

Maroons legend Darren Lockyer played 20 of his 36 Origin games in the famous No.6 jumper and anointed Milford as the long-term five-eighth successor to Thurston, who will vacate the role at season’s end.

“Milf can be there for a long time,” said the former Maroons skipper. “If he does everything right, he’s young enough, the Queensland No. 6 jumper can be his for the next decade.

“He has an opportunity, the door is open and it’s up to him now to grab it. Part of the reason Milf was in camp was because he is part of Queensland’s long-term plans.

“It would have been great for Thurston to play, but this is an opportunity for Anthony to learn from the best in Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk.”

Another new face at Camp Maroon was Titans prop Jarrod Wallace, who has been drafted in as 18th man following the withdrawal of Thurston.