JT the man to lead Australia
October 29th 2008 08:10
It seems current Kangaroos captain Darren Lockyer will be guiding Australia to their tenth world cup crown judging by their flawless performance against the Kiwis last Sunday night. But when the great Broncos icon decides to hang up his representative boots after forty or so test matches, just who will take his place as captain of the side?
There are a host of players in the Kangaroos line-up that would do an admirable job in leading the most potent nation in League circles.
Cameron Smith held the honour once and deservedly so, with the Storm hooker already captaining the juggernaut that is Melbourne to a premiership.
Petero Civoncieva deserves a crack, but age could get the best of him, while Paul Gallen has shown admirable qualities when leading an unheralded Sharks outfit this season.
As strange as it seems though, Johnathon Thurston is yet to have the 'C' imprinted next to his name for the Kangaroos.
Despite winning a Premiership in 2004 with the Bulldogs, thus also developing the Cowboys into a league superpower which culminated in their maiden grand final appearance, Thurston is yet to lead rugby league's most powerful nation into the field of battle.
The Two time Dally M Medal winner has achieved everything the game has to offer and thoroughly deserves to cross out an honour from a list which has yielded a Premiership, Origin victories and Test jerseys.
Thurston is a man for the occasion and the Australian captaincy would only enhance the aura of success of the talented roster around him.
He has done it for a Cowboys side that was forlorn premiership material prior to his arrival at Townsville. Barring this years performance, they have always made the NRL finals with Thurston at the helm.
And with the World Cup now in town, the Nth Qld halfback is dominating again.
He was sensational in the Kangaroos opening game against the Kiwis, with his every touch of the football one of class and composure.
His performance against New Zealand was made even more special due to the heartache suffered by Thurston prior to the match against the Kiwis.
Thurston's uncle, Richard Saunders was allegedly bashed by nine people and later died in hospital.
But it seems not even personnel tragedy can dent Thurston's Australian spirit for the Kangaroos, even if it means losing a loved one in such horrific circumstances.
Indeed Thurston's abilities as a player and individual under pressure are only rivalled by the man that is leading him and his Australian team-mates to what seems another world cup final come November 22.
In all reality, it seems only fair that one of leagues greatest ever players stands in Thurston's way in achieving the distinction of captaining the Kangaroos.
Lockyer's presence as the head of Australia's leadership group now rivals Wayne Bennett's former association with the Broncos.
But as Lockyer reaches the nervous thirties, Thurston ,25, will get his ample opportunity to officially lead the Kangaroos into another era of league dominance.
And judging by his most recent performance in the green and gold, Thurston will too be hard to displace once he gets the ‘C’ imprinted next to his name.
| 56 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
