NRL: Nines lose a star, but predict shining show

Johnathan Thurston. Photo / Getty Images

Thurston’s absence will not marr tournament, say organisers

League superstar Johnathan Thurston will be missed, but his absence will not detract from the entertainment at this weekend's NRL Auckland Nines tournament, organisers say.

Rated by many as the best player in league, the Australia and Queensland star had been expected to play in the tournament after travelling to New Zealand for a promotional appearance late last year and featuring in ticket sales promotions.

But reports of Thurston's absence from Auckland began leaking out on Monday night, and were confirmed yesterday by his North Queensland Cowboys club.

Last year, the star halfback won his third Dally M medal, awarded to the player rated the best in the NRL over the season. He missed the Kangaroos' Four Nations campaign because of a shoulder injury, but was expected to be fit enough to play in Auckland and has been named captain of the Indigenous All Stars team for a match against the NRL Allstars on the Gold Coast on February 14.

His presence in Auckland was expected to be a hit with fans and a boost for his North Queensland Cowboys club's chances of defending the title it claimed after eliminating the home town favourite Warriors in the semifinals and then beating Queensland rival Brisbane in last year's final.

"It is sad he won't be here, no two ways about it," said Martin Snedden, the chief executive of Duco Events, the promotions company that runs the Nines.

"When he was here before Christmas, it sounded like he was up for playing. But we understand coaches don't always see things the same way as players and it is a long season. We just take it the way it falls and get on with it."

Snedden said the likes of Shaun Johnson, Daly Cherry-Evans, Kieran Foran and Benji Marshall showed there would be no shortage of stars.

"We will miss Thurston and we hope he turns up next year, but there are going to be stars playing in every game."

Former Queensland and Kangaroos teammate Brent Tate said the tournament wasn't all about the stars.

"Obviously Jono is a huge drawcard," Tate said. "I can't believe how much his profile has exploded over the last couple of years. It would have been nice to have him here but you are still going to have many bloody great players out there. And the great thing about the Nines is that you also unearth a lot of new talent."

The former Warriors star is back in Auckland on a promotional visit to drum up support for the Queensland State of Origin side.

Tate's fellow Queensland star Petero Civoniceva and Maroons coach Mal Meninga last night hosted a cocktail function at the Hilton Hotel and also planned to visit schools and hospitals around the city.

Tate has strong ties with Auckland. His wife, Lani, is part Maori and his first son Kyden was born here.

"I didn't have my first child in Queensland, but I had him in New Zealand and that was better than him being born in New South Wales," he said.

A fourth serious knee injury suffered while playing for his beloved Queensland forced Tate into retirement last year and he is now working alongside Warriors legend Micheal Luck as a member of the Cowboys' commercial staff.

But he still has a soft spot for New Zealand and the Warriors.

"I loved our time here. I love the people over here and I love being part of the club. It was a real brotherhood and I really enjoyed that ... There are a lot of fond memories."