Johnathan Thurston set to move to a clear second for most consecutive Origin matches
JOHNATHAN Thurston takes his superstitions very seriously. And when it comes to his remarkable Origin streak, so should Queensland and NSW.
JOHNATHAN Thurston takes his superstitions very seriously. And when it comes to his remarkable Origin streak, so should Queensland and NSW.
Thurston is only player to have featured in every game since Queensland began its unprecedented domination in 2006. Tonight marks his 23rd consecutive appearance in the game's toughest arena, moving Thurston into clear second on the all-time list.
Provided he lines-up for game three next month Thurston will equal Gary Larson's record, which has stood for nearly two decades. Fearing the attention would bring bad luck, Thurston declined to discuss his uncanny run.
Larson, however, said luck was only part of the equation.
"The luck only comes with a good preparation," the former Maroons back-rower said."Your body must be in tip-top condition and that's why doing all the little things right is so important."
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When several bad injuries at club level are considered, then Thurston's State of Origin endurance is even more unlikely. The North Queensland Cowboys skipper has had both his shoulders reconstructed.
He's also been sidelined with serious knee injuries, including one suffered in Origin III last year that saw him wheeled on to Suncorp Stadium to join Darren Lockyer's farewell bash.
Thurston, Maroons captain Cameron Smith and veteran prop Petero Civoniceva - who went 21 Origins without a break between 2002 and 2009 - are the only other current players in the top 10.
Jarryd Hayne (14) is NSW's most capped player, but his run from 2007 was broken after being controversially overlooked for game one last year.
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