Queensland captain Cameron Smith says star playmaker Johnathan Thurston is still not feeling 100 per cent ahead of Wednesday’s State of Origin series opener.
Thurston has been hampered by a virus since Sunday and Smith was unsure how much part he would have in Queensland’s final training run at ANZ Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
“Johnathan is still a little bit dusty,” said Smith.
“Mal (coach Mal Meninga) is going to give him the chance to have a run later today but I’m not too sure if he’ll be doing the entire session or not.
“He looks like he’s on the mend but we’ll see how he goes at training and hopeful he’ll be right to go on Wednesday night.”
Thurston, who could break camp if his partner Samantha goes into labour with their first child, is in line to eclipse Gary Larson’s consecutive Origin game record of 24 straight matches.
Queensland still haven’t declared winger Darius Boyd (bruised ankle) a starter but Smith hinted the Newcastle fullback would line-up for his 15th Origin.
“He gets better every day and if he gets through tonight’s session I think he’ll be right to play,” he said.
Meninga has shadow players on standby for Boyd (Justin O’Neill) and Thurston (Daly Cherry-Evans) while Canberra’s Josh Papalii is in camp with the Maroons in case there is any late development in the Ben Te’o assault investigation.
Meninga said on Monday he was closely monitoring Te’o emotional state.
But Smith said on Tuesday the South Sydney forward appeared to be coping alright.
“He’s fine. I know he’s going through a difficult time at the moment but his mental state is really good,” he said.
“He’s been positive towards his preparation and come tomorrow (Wednesday) there will only be one thing on his mind and that will be to play as best he can.”