Shoulder surgery rules Maroons legend Johnathan Thurston out for season

JOHNATHAN Thurston’s fairytale has been shattered with the Cowboys superstar to undergo surgery – ruling him out of the Origin decider and destroying his World Cup farewell.

Johnathan Thurston is out for the season with a shoulder injury.

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JOHNATHAN Thurston’s fairytale has been shattered with the Cowboys superstar to undergo surgery _ ruling him out of the Origin decider and ruining his World Cup farewell.

Thurston’s Origin II heroics have come at a huge cost with the Maroons champion to go under the knife after battling a fresh shoulder injury for 50 minutes in Queensland’s 18-16 win at ANZ Stadium.

Cowboys coach Paul Green confirmed Thurston, who was hoping to play his 300th NRL game against Penrith tomorrow, requires season-ending surgery at his weekly pre-game press conference.

It is a devastating blow for the Maroons, who have lost Thurston and star utility back Darius Boyd (broken thumb) in the last 24 hours.

Thurston was hoping to be fit for the decider but after viewing results from scans, Cowboys doctors today advised the Queensland champion he requires surgery immediately.

After 37 games for the Maroons _ including a record 36 straight Origin matches _ Thurston’s glittering Origin career is over.

Johnathan Thurston is out for the season with a shoulder injury.

It is understood Thurston faces at least a six-month recovery to ensure he is fully fit for what shapes as his final season in the NRL next year.

A dejected Thurston said today he was planning to play through the pain barrier in his Origin farewell at Suncorp Stadium, but pulled the pin after speaking to club doctors.

“I thought I might have been able to pump one or two more games out,” Thurston said.

“But the medical advice said if you want to live a healthy life after football, it’s best to get this (surgery) done now.

“I will be able to spend more time with the family but it’s pretty shattering.

Johnathan Thurston walks from the filed after Origin II. Picture: Peter Wallis

“I got the scan and the news wasn’t good. It’s the best decision for myself and the club to get the op done.

“Normally a (rotator) cuff repair is six months (rehabilitation).

“It just felt like a cork to the shoulder.

“The next morning (after Origin II), I did some tests and I was able to lift my shoulder, whereas after the Test match (when he first injured his shoulder six weeks ago), I couldn’t do that.”

Asked if he was any chance of returning for the World Cup in October, Thurston said: “I would love to but I don’t think it’s a reality.”

The revelation has major implications not only for Queensland, but the Cowboys and Australia. North Queensland’s premiership ambitions are in tatters and Australian coach Mal Meninga must find a new five-eighth for the Kangaroos’ World Cup defence starting in October.

Queensland coach Kevin Walters now faces a scrumbase conundrum, with Michael Morgan set to be the frontline contender to replace Thurston as Cooper Cronk’s halves partner.

With Origin I debutant Anthony Milford sidelined fo six weeks with a shoulder injury, the likes of Corey Norman, Daly Cherry-Evans and Ben Hunt, who was called into camp for Origin II, will also be considered.

“We are very grateful to Johnathan, that he has put this team in the position that we are now able to go to Suncorp Stadium for a decider,” Walters said.

“His efforts in Game II were really above and beyond.

“It’s obviously a big void to fill for the Maroons, but we have got some good options there available to us.

“We will see what happens over the next few weeks and the next two rounds of NRL before we make our decision.”

Walters said Thurston would still be heavily involved in Queensland’s preparations.

“Johnathan will have a role within the team for Game III,” Walters said.

“Obviously with it being his last Origin series, we will make sure it is a special occasion for him and his family.”

Cowboys coach Paul Green refused to be critical of Thurston for playing on in Origin II with a clearly damaged shoulder.

But the situation is sure to reignite debate over the demands on elite players and the impact for their clubs, with Thurston having played just one game in 10 weeks for the Cowboys.

“He went into that game with the injury and it got worse, it’s forced us to make this decision,” Green said.

“Origin are high-stakes games and luckily for Queensland, he kicked us home to victory.

“Having known him the last few years, it doesn’t surprise me.

“I don’t need to expunge how tough he is but toughness is one of his traits and he displayed that in Origin II.”

Originally published as Shoulder surgery rules Maroons legend Johnathan Thurston out for season