Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater ready to plot Queensland State of Origin comeback

ALLAN Langer owns the greatest Origin comeback. But after 16 years, is this Queensland water boy’s run now up? NICK WALSHAW investigates

Johnathan Thurston and Billy Slater are set to return for Queensland.

ALLAN Langer owns the greatest Origin comeback.

Which is no small claim.

But after 16 years, and who knows how many schooners shouted in its honour, we have to wonder if this Queensland water boy’s run may now be up?

For with Johnathan Thurston set to be named the Maroons’ No. 6 on Monday, and Billy Slater firming for fullback, the NSW Blues could potentially be faced with the greatest resurrection story since Alf, aged 34 and a couple of years removed from the NRL, was plucked from Warrington for an Origin decider.

And, no, there isn’t any hiding this comeback.

Allan Langer’s Queensland comeback in 2001 is the greatest in State of Origin history.

Not like in 2001, when Maroons coach Wayne Bennett snuck Langer back into the country under a false name, then into his backline in a No. 7 jersey, for the most incredible of series deciders.

An Origin moment which now sits atop a stellar list that includes Mark Coyne’s Origin “miracle”, Andrew Johns’ comeback in 05 and Brad Fittler, a year earlier, crossing the white strip with one arm raised to secure the series after having himself been plucked from rep retirement. So you see where this is going, right?

Johnathan Thurston and Billy Slater are set to return for Queensland.

For while NSW may have smashed up Queensland in game one, it wasn’t a Maroons side including Thurston. Or Slater.

A duo who, in roughly 48 hours over the weekend, played key roles in 48 points.

A savaging which started on Thursday evening when, against a Cronulla side containing four Blues, Slater saved four tries, continually threatened, then orchestrated the matchwinner with only minutes remaining. A play which, incredibly, almost never happened.

While Slater likely earned an Origin recall on the back of a performance topped by that Felise Kaufusi pass, the fullback revealed that some teammates tried to cancel it.

“A couple of the guys tried to cancel my call on me,’’ he laughed.

“And it still didn’t turn out exactly how we wanted it, either.”

Billy Slater starred for the Storm against the Sharks. Picture: Mark Evans

Ditto Thurston who, fewer than 48 hours later, embarrassed Parramatta in his first outing since the start of last month — kicking for two tries, scoring a third, then playing a key hand in the Cowboys’ fourth while landing goals from everywhere.

As for what happens when they combine? Think the high school science experiment that blasts windows, singes eyebrows and causes 12-week suspensions.

For more than another Origin series for JT, this is his last. Slater too, potentially.

Yet after being out of the Origin arena for two years, Slater looms as the Blues’ greatest threat.

And like Alfie, just waiting for the call.