Granty
21-05-2006, 01:26 AM
http://www.thesundaymail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,19201542%255E2764,00.html
Thurston handed kicking duties
GREG DAVIS
21may06
MAROONS halfback Johnathan Thurston (pictured) will kick ahead of workhorse Cameron Smith in Wednesday's Origin opener.
Coach Mal Meninga said Smith's heavy workload at dummy-half and in defence, and the likelihood of Thurston playing all 80 minutes at Telstra Stadium, meant the responsibility would rest on the shoulders of the Cowboys sharpshooter.
Thurston has landed 40 goals from 49 attempts for an 82 per cent success rate in 2006.
Smith has knocked over 35 from 48 shots for a 73 per cent conversion rate for the Storm.
Queensland has not always had the luxury of picking between top-quality goalkickers, with part-timers often drafted into the pivotal job. Winger Lote Tuqiri, who did not even kick for the Broncos, had a shot to win the 2002 series for the Maroons but it sailed wide to leave the series drawn.
Meninga said he was in the enviable position of being spoilt for choices, but Thurston would get the nod.
"Cameron is on the ball a fair bit, so it will be good to spell him whenever we can," he said. "It is very good to have a couple of very handy goalkickers in the squad.
"Touch wood, Johnathan will get through the whole game and be on the field for the full 80 minutes.
"That's an important factor when you are deciding on goalkickers."
Smith was on the bench and unable to take kicks in the closing stages of the tight series opener last year, when skipper Darren Lockyer was forced to take the difficult attempts.
Smith's success rate at Origin level has not been as good as in club football. Some pundits suggest his tireless efforts leave no petrol in the tank for goalkicking.
Meninga is the ideal judge of who should take on the crucial role.
In his stellar Origin career from 1980-94, Meninga kicked a record 69 goals for Queensland, including a perfect seven from seven in the inaugural match in 1980.
Captain Darren Lockyer insists Telstra Stadium is not a Maroon graveyard, despite 10 unsuccessful trips to the Olympic venue.
Thurston handed kicking duties
GREG DAVIS
21may06
MAROONS halfback Johnathan Thurston (pictured) will kick ahead of workhorse Cameron Smith in Wednesday's Origin opener.
Coach Mal Meninga said Smith's heavy workload at dummy-half and in defence, and the likelihood of Thurston playing all 80 minutes at Telstra Stadium, meant the responsibility would rest on the shoulders of the Cowboys sharpshooter.
Thurston has landed 40 goals from 49 attempts for an 82 per cent success rate in 2006.
Smith has knocked over 35 from 48 shots for a 73 per cent conversion rate for the Storm.
Queensland has not always had the luxury of picking between top-quality goalkickers, with part-timers often drafted into the pivotal job. Winger Lote Tuqiri, who did not even kick for the Broncos, had a shot to win the 2002 series for the Maroons but it sailed wide to leave the series drawn.
Meninga said he was in the enviable position of being spoilt for choices, but Thurston would get the nod.
"Cameron is on the ball a fair bit, so it will be good to spell him whenever we can," he said. "It is very good to have a couple of very handy goalkickers in the squad.
"Touch wood, Johnathan will get through the whole game and be on the field for the full 80 minutes.
"That's an important factor when you are deciding on goalkickers."
Smith was on the bench and unable to take kicks in the closing stages of the tight series opener last year, when skipper Darren Lockyer was forced to take the difficult attempts.
Smith's success rate at Origin level has not been as good as in club football. Some pundits suggest his tireless efforts leave no petrol in the tank for goalkicking.
Meninga is the ideal judge of who should take on the crucial role.
In his stellar Origin career from 1980-94, Meninga kicked a record 69 goals for Queensland, including a perfect seven from seven in the inaugural match in 1980.
Captain Darren Lockyer insists Telstra Stadium is not a Maroon graveyard, despite 10 unsuccessful trips to the Olympic venue.