7th Tackle: Why was JT in Sydney last week?
Exactly why was Johnathan Thurston in Sydney with the Cowboys last week?
He was no chance of taking on the Sharks, yet voluntarily left his young children and wife in Townsville for two nights - on the eve of a stretch where he barely sees them for six long weeks.
It doesn’t seem to make sense . . . until you consider the lengths Thurston was willing to go to keep his incredible 36-game Origin streak alive.
The Cowboys allowing Thurston to fly was the first positive sign, revealing his injury was no longer a risk at altitude.
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The second was his work ethic while in Sydney with the team, completing extras sessions and conditioning drills.
In short, with the series opener at stake he didn’t want to skip a beat.
But weighed up against all that is the fact Thurston had to make the trip south for a sponsors' commitment in Sydney - and he decided to fulfil that while unavailable to play.