North Queensland Cowboys playmaker Robert Lui sheds close to 10kg to find career best form

ROBERT Lui has shed close to 10kg this year and Johnathan Thurston says the five-eighth’s new-found fitness has led to career-best form.

The North Queensland Cowboys v Manly Sea Eagles from 1300 Smiles Stadium Cowboys Robert Lui. . Picture: Zak Simmonds

ROBERT Lui has shed close to 10kg this year and Johnathan Thurston says the five-eighth’s new-found fitness has led to career-best form.

Thurston told The Courier-Mail that Lui’s playmaking masterclass against a visiting Manly side on Saturday night was the 24-year-old’s best performance since he moved to Townsville in 2012.

The Cowboys will host the Brisbane Broncos in week one of the finals in an epic derby.

Robert Lui (R) is fitter than ever.

For the first time since 2007, when the Cowboys finished third, Townsville should be legitimately excited about its team’s premiership prospects.

Thurston has carried the weight of North Queensland’s passionate fans during his decade in the north.

However, Lui’s form is so strong that Thurston has a legitimate foil in the halves for the first time since he moved north in 2005.

Darren Lockyer wrote last month that Lui’s form would decide the Cowboys’ premiership hopes this year. As usual, the champion Bronco is right.

Lui scored a solo try and had two try-assists in the Cowboys’ 30-16 Round 26 victory over Manly and Thurston said it was a perfectly timed performance before finals week one.

“That was his best game by far,” Thurston said.

“Hopefully that gives him the confidence he needs heading into next week.

“He is the fittest he’s been here. His confidence should be high now.”

Green challenged Lui mid-season to lose weight and the former Wests Tigers star worked hard to meet the targets set for him.

His defence has improved significantly and it was noticeable against the Sea Eagles on Saturday as Manly ran at Lui relentlessly.

While the Cowboys keep details of their players’ weights in-house, it is believed Lui has lost around 8kg since the pre-season.

Lui recently knocked back offers from the Cronulla Sharks and Canberra Raiders to re-sign with the Cowboys for another year.

Originally published as North Queensland Cowboys playmaker Robert Lui sheds close to 10kg to find career best form