North Queensland is to contest captain Johnathan Thurston's detrimental conduct charge at the NRL judiciary and has named him in their side to play South Sydney on Monday night.

Thurston was charged with the grade one charge after an expletive-laden rant at referee Jason Robinson which included sarcastically telling him he was "man of the match" after a controversial forward pass ruling in the dying stages of the Cowboys' 24-20 loss to Manly.

He will be suspended for one match - the clash with Souths - if he is unsuccessful at the judiciary on Wednesday night.

Thurston will appear via video link-up from Townsville.

There is no risk of him missing the second State of Origin match in Brisbane on June 16.

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