NZ - Johnathan Thurston for Kiwis?

[carlnz]

Bulldogs back-up five-eighth Johnathan Thurston has been approached by New Zealand to represent the Kiwis at rugby league.

Thurston revealed to The Sun-Herald that he was approached last week to try to strengthen New Zealand's chances in the Tri Nations next month.

The Kiwis see Thurston, who would be a regular starting No.6 at most NRL clubs, as a prime target.

His father Graham is a New Zealander, his mum an Aborigine. Thurston is unsure at this point what to do.

"Every kid growing up in Queensland dreams of playing Origin for Queensland," he said. "That has always been my dream and it's all I've thought about in terms of representative football.

"To be quite honest I'd never given this kind of thing a second thought but obviously playing for New Zealand, or playing for any country, is a great honour.

"But being a Queenslander, you only really think about playing for Queensland.

"That has been my goal for as long as I can remember."

Thurston has been close to Origin selection but has been injured at the wrong times.

New Zealand officials clearly recognise his talent and former Kiwi winger Daryl Halligan approached him to gauge his interest.

"I was honoured that Daryl would ask me if I'd be interested," Thurston said.

"It's something I have to think about and I'll probably make my mind up fairly soon.

"There are a lot of great players in New Zealand, and I know I probably won't get the chance to represent Australia with Darren Lockyer now playing at five-eighth. He's the Australian captain and a great player. There are other great five-eighths around as well."

Thurston said his parents fully support whatever move he will make.

"Dad has lived here for 25 years now but he still cheers for the Kiwis," he said. "He'll go for them even when he knows they're going to go down.

"They won't pressure me either way. I've grown up here all my life but I won't rule anything out."

Thurston is bound for the Cowboys next year and he admits he's pleased they are succeeding.

"I knew I made the right decision to go and join them next year," he said. "This just confirms it for me.

"What the Cowboys are doing is very good for football."

 

[Johns Magic]

Hope he does play for them. As he said, Lockyer is in front of him for Aus and QLD.

Would give NZ some much needed stability in the halves

 

[Iafeta]

If he played, we'd at least have one high quality running half. We're still desperate for a #7, but all other bases begin to look covered. We should then be able to knock the Poms out and make the final (is there a final?)

 

[League Freak™]

His addition would be a HUGE boost for NZ.

They have a GREAT forward pack and dangerous outside backs.

 

[dimitri]

id like to see him play

 

[dazza]

that`d be awesome!!!

i still believe the warriors should`ve approached him.

for the future, thurston & benji marshall would be an absolutely dynamic halves pairing, imo.

jeez i hope he does play for the kiwis.

cheers dazza

 

[LESStar58]

I'd put playing Origin ahead of playing for NZ

 

[Dirty Hoe]

I'd put playing Origin ahead of playing for NZ

fat chance you will have of playing origin...so who cares what you think

 

[DIEHARD]

It would really boost New Zealand but it wont happen. He is a Queenslander and he wont be turning down a Maroons jersey. If he does, I would still be proud of him. It would take alot of guts and maturity to make that sort of decision.

 

[coldhardbitch]

he seems to be thinking logically, not wishfully (like c (-h) unt)

he realises that he will never win place over lockyer, and he obviously feels a loyalty through his father.
i think he should play for nz,a nd is more likely to than hunt, as the dogs have a nz culture about them, and players like utai and asotasi will get in his ear and get him ionto the kiwis. rauhihi will do the same at the cowboys.

go for the black young jonathon

 

[Misanthrope]

I liked the quote from Gould about Sonny-Bill Williams.

'He's played Origin in every age group.... yet he'll never play for NSW. Something needs to be fixed'.

Yes, it does. Players born in New Zealand should play for New Zealand first and foremost. None of this 'he's lived in Queensland for seven years' bullshit. Let them play for the country they were born in. If they've lived in a country for nineteen of their twenty years, fair enough- anything else is crap.

This doesn't apply to Thurston, obviously, as I think he was born here. I'm saying that Origin selection shouldn't take precedence over national selection. I'm assuming Carroll can't play for NZ, as he played Origin this year?

 

[DIEHARD]

We should NEVER let players play for both NZ and QLD or NSW. It would take the passion and intensity out of State of Origin. We just need to elevate the value of the Kiwi jersey, I believe while QLD and NSW battle it out the Kiwis should take on the Lions.

 

[WarriorDog]

I dont see any reason why a player couldnt play for Origin AND the Kiwis as well (and not just the World Cup either). SOO is a domestic comp and are not internationals. I'd imagine NSW officials and fans would love to see Sonny-Bill Williams in Origin. I mean , he has already represented them in age group teams and I dont see why he shouldnt be in the Origin series. Its a non-sensical rule IMO.

 

[incredible_holc]

hmmm so you crucify hunt for choosing australia and hes lived here for 5 years. Yet you think its wonderful that thurston is thinking about playing for new zealand when the only times he would have been there was to play the warriors..... i dont get it

 

[Anonymous]

Thurston never turned Australia down in favour of playing for a country not of his birth.

 

[Johns Magic]

hmmm so you crucify hunt for choosing australia and hes lived here for 5 years. Yet you think its wonderful that thurston is thinking about playing for new zealand when the only times he would have been there was to play the warriors..... i dont get it

The difference is, Thurston will go a long way towards helping international rugby become more even. If he makes the decision to help out a struggling NZ team, then it will be a noble one.

What Hunt did was an act of cowardice.

 

[Dirty Hoe]

mike hunt needs a good slapping

 

[Kaz]

Let me get this straight.

So it is alright for Thurston to maybe played for NZ even though he was born in Australia.

But it is not OK for Hunt to maybe play for Australia when he was born in NZ.

 

[Johns Magic]

Let me get this straight.

So it is alright for Thurston to maybe played for NZ even though he was born in Australia.

But it is not OK for Hunt to maybe play for Australia when he was born in NZ.

Read 2 posts above yours.
Take note, you are a Broncos fan.

 

[shiznit]

ok, for all you idiots that want to compare it to K. Hunt.
NZ sent an S.O.S to K. Hunt to play for his country of birth. he then refused(which he is well within his rights to do) to play for the Kiwis so he could play SOO.
NZ has asked J. Thurston to play for the country of his father's birth. he hasnt replyed yet but he would be ok if he wants to because Australia or Queensland havent sent him a S.O.S to play for Australia or Queensland. and lets face it, he wont be taking Darren Lockyer's place in the QLD or Roo's jumpers anytime soon.
If Aussie or QLD needed him and asked for him then it would be more like K. Hunt.
He hasnt turned his back on his country of birth. hes just realised that they dont need him and he would be able to get further in the black jearsey.