Johnathan Thurston plays down title talk after North Queensland’s Bulldog demolition

JOHNATHAN Thurston has quieted talk North Queensland are premiership contenders, declaring the real test will come in the next fortnight.

NRL Rd 22 - Cowboys v Tigers

COWBOYS co-captain Johnathan Thurston has pulled the reins on talk North Queensland are genuine premiership contenders, declaring the club’s real test will come in the next fortnight.

While he’s proud of his team’s record-breaking 64-6 win over the Wests Tigers last week, he said the true test of their credentials would come when they face third-placed Penrith on Monday night and then back up five days later against South Sydney.

Thurston said the two most recent wins at 1300SMILES Stadium came against clubs who were facing plenty of off-field turmoil.

The massive win over Canterbury has left North Queensland buzzing.

As well as both being hit hard by injury, the Titans and Tigers have battled salary cap investigations and management issues respectively.

“It’s hard to take those (victories as a true reflection) as (to) where we’re at on the ladder,” Thurston said.

“Against the Titans last week who were in a bit of drama and then obviously the Tigers.

“Everyone’s going to be patting us on the back after these two wins but the big test for us is Penrith next week and backing up against the Bunnies on a short turnaround.

“That’s the challenge for us.”

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To the Cowboys‘ credit, Thurston said their ability to kick on from a strong lead at half-time by not taking it easy and letting the Tigers back into the game was a show of their mental strength.

Coach Paul Green even resisted giving Thurston or their other stars a rest at the end of the game to avoid taking a “soft mentality” into their next couple of weeks.

Thurston said the injury hit Panthers were still “sitting pretty” on the ladder — third, with a 17-win, seven-loss record — and offered plenty of threats.

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“It’s probably their middle third,” Thurston said.

“They’ve been very tough through there and obviously with Chicko (James Segeyaro) playing off the back.

“He’s very dangerous coming through that nine and obviously (Jamie) Soward is controlling everything there.”