NRL: Betting shops in spin over Thurston

Cowboys playmaker Johnathan Thurston. Photo / Getty Images

Australian betting agencies have suspended wagers on tomorrow's National Rugby League (NRL) match between the New Zealand Warriors and North Queensland amid suspicions star Cowboys playmaker Johnathan Thurston will be a late inclusion.

The Kangaroos and Queensland halfback was expected to miss the round 10 match in Auckland with a shoulder injury but his presence in Auckland has fuelled speculation he could bolster the Cowboys line-up in a bid to prove his fitness for next week's State of Origin opener in Sydney.

Three agencies stopped taking bets on the match yesterday after a punter lodged A$10,000 ($12,530) with TAB Sportsbet for the Cowboys to win with a 7.5 point head start.

UniTAB, Sportingbet and Sportsbet Australia still had their markets on the game on hold today although TAB Sportsbet were quoting the Warriors as $1.43 favourites to the Cowboys $2.75.

Back rower Luke O'Donnell might also be a late change to the line-up as he makes a last ditch bid to convince the New South Wales selectors he is capable of playing the Origin opener despite hyper-extending his knee during last Friday's City v Country game. He also missed three NRL games through suspension before the NSW Origin trial game.

Cowboys head coach Neil Henry only needs to confirm his match day 17 shortly before kickoff tomorrow at 7.30pm (NZT) but reiterated Thurston was unlikely to feature.

"JT is virtually no chance with his shoulder," Henry told the Townsville Bulletin newspaper.

"He's been doing a fair bit of rehab on it but he hasn't been able to take any contact on it.

"I'm thinking that he's in some doubt for Origin I but he could be right because he's got a bit of time, but he's virtually no chance for this weekend."

Thurston damaged the AC joint of his right shoulder against the Melbourne Storm two weeks ago and was expected to be sidelined for up to a month.

However, the prognosis for O'Donnell was brighter with Henry listing his as a 50-50 chance of facing the Warriors.

Another Origin representative, Queensland prop Carl Webb, is a near certainty to play after recovering from an ankle injury but it is Thurston's return that could have a significant bearing on the outcome between two sides who have struggled this season.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand TAB was continuing to take bets on the contest - the Warriors were $1.48 favourites; North Queensland $2.45.

- NZPA