Lockyer 'past it' story a joke: Thurston
Suggestions that Darren Lockyer was "past it" still bring a smile to Johnathan Thurston's face - but the representative snubbing of his Cowboys teammates was clearly no laughing matter.
As he looked forward to celebrating the Australian skipper's historic Test against New Zealand on Friday night, Thurston couldn't hide his amusement over the rumours that once dogged his halves partner.
Lockyer has emerged from speculation that he was flat out making the Queensland Origin side - let alone the Australian team - to book a record-equalling 46th international at Suncorp Stadium.
While the Lockyer rumours sparked outrage from the likes of ex-Test enforcer Gorden Tallis, Thurston simply burst into laughter.
"I thought it was pretty funny, actually, saying he was past it," he told AAP.
"He is a big game player, and that's what you need.
"People who question what he has done in the past...well, I laughed at the suggestion."
But Thurston's mood became deadly serious when the topic turned to his overlooked North Queensland teammates Matt Bowen and Carl Webb.
In May last year Webb was preparing for the Centenary Test showdown with the Kiwis at the SCG.
Twelve months later Webb is battling to hold onto his Cowboys spot, with North Queensland coach Neil Henry asking the forward to "step up" for Saturday night's NRL clash with the Dragons.
And Cowboys teammate Matt Bowen - another former international - has shown only glimpses of his best since returning from radical knee surgery.
While Bowen and Webb were never in Test calculations, they were still notable omissions when the Queensland Origin 25-strong squad was named recently.
Thurston felt for them but admitted Webb would be the first to admit that his form was not up to scratch.
However, Thurston backed them to bounce back onto the Origin scene this season.
"Webby hasn't been too happy with his own form and Matty has come back from major knee surgery," he said.
"(But) I don't think they are out of the picture.
"Each year is getting tougher and harder. Everyone is running and tackling harder.
"But if their form can pick I am sure they will be on the selectors' minds."
Like Lockyer, Thurston also had to endure his share of speculation ahead of the Test.
Gold Coast Titans halfback Scott Prince poured on plenty of pressure before Test selectors stuck with the incumbent No.7.
The Cowboys skipper had a quiet start to the NRL season with eyebrows raised over Henry's "quality rather than quantity" approach to Thurston.
"Nothing has really changed," Thurston said.
"The only thing really is that Neil has put more of an onus on the other players to put their hand up which is a good thing."
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