KEY POINTS:
Johnathan Thurston was steering clear of the campaign against opposing skipper Steve Price on the eve of the Cowboys-Warriors National Rugby League semifinal today.
Cowboys coach Graham Murray went on the warpath on Friday, contacting Australian media outlets to protest Price's charge down technique, a trademark of his for a number of years.
Murray, upset his star playmaker had been hit in the head in successive weeks by late tackles from Bulldogs forwards Sonny Bill Williams (suspended for one game) and Willie Mason, went on the attack declaring Price's charge downs were as dangerous as the outlawed spear tackle.
Cronulla halfback Brett Kimmorley suffered a season-ending knee injury during this year's State of Origin series playing under Murray when he had his legs clipped by a diving Price.
"Steve is a legend in our game but it doesn't mean he doesn't get things wrong," said Murray.
Murray said he couldn't live with himself if he didn't speak out and his star halfback was gunned down by a Price tackle gone wrong at Dairy Farmers Stadium.
"I was supporting Johnathan Thurston, who was fairly vocal about it last week," said Murray, as the Cowboys wrapped up their preparations.
"It's a different type of challenge by Pricey who's a good bloke and a great player, but I just want it to always be legal, that's the referee's decision, not mine.
"I just don't want Johnathan Thurston to be unfairly treated."
Thurston and Price are former Bulldogs team-mates - and current Origin team-mates - but they'll be enemies today with no quarter given or expected.
Thurston got to play in the Bulldogs 2004 grand final win only after Price pulled out injured a day or so before the game.
Thurston showed his gratitude by giving Price, who'd played most of the season, his premiership ring.
"We're still pretty good mates from our Canterbury days," said Thurston. "I said my piece on it last week and Muzz [Murray] is just trying to protect me, so I'll just leave it at that.
"I'll just have to get back deeper so he [Price] can't get me."
The Cowboys have employed some gamesmanship by opting to play in their white jumpers, forcing the visitors to to wear black in the heat.
"They don't turn the heaters on for us 20 minutes into a game over there when it's bitterly cold," said Cowboys chief executive Peter Parr.
Meanwhile, Thurston declared he'd "do what's best for me" with the Warriors forwards primed to run at him. Thurston may be called upon to do a lot of defending with the Warriors keen to sap his attacking energies.
Asked if he would "stand and deliver" if the physical Warriors came looking for him, Thurston smiled and said: "I'll do what's best for me."
The Warriors will likely try and slow the game down like the Bulldogs did last week. They'll also target Thurston and fullback Matt Bowen defensively as much as possible.
Thurston can expect a lot of big, mobile traffic heading his way while the Warriors have hatched a kicking game plan designed to corral Bowen in the corners to nullify his phenomenal running game.
"It happens week in, week out. They are big and very mobile. I'll just try and hide on the wing," laughed Thurston, making light of the tactic.
Successive hitouts against the Bulldogs - whose pack includes internationals Sonny Bill Williams, Willie Mason and Mark O'Meley - is the ideal preparation for a clash with the physical Warriors.
"The Dogs have got a pretty fearsome pack and the way our forwards stood up, I was really proud of them," said Thurston. "It's another hurdle for us but I've got all the faith in the boys that they can get the job done.
"I'm really proud of them, they don't get the raps they deserve.
"Since day dot, I've been giving them raps and, considering four of our starting pack are on the sideline, the boys have done a wonderful job and they should be proud of where we are."
The match will be highly emotional for centre Paul Bowman, the last surviving Cowboy original who will make his final appearance at Dairy Farmers Stadium.
"It's a significant day for Bear [Bowman] and I'm sure all the boys want to put in a good performance for him," said Thurston.
"His [experience and knowledge] has been invaluable. He's put a lot into it the last few weeks and you can see the hunger that he wants to finish on the right note."
- AAP
