Thurston Overcomes Uncle's Death To Star In Opener

Sydney Morning Herald

Monday October 27, 2008

Jacquelin Magnay

AT breakfast yesterday Australian coach Ricky Stuart quietly asked his key playmaker Johnathan Thurston if he was "still sweet". Thurston didn't miss a beat before replying, "Yeah, I am ready to roll".

And roll he did. In last night's World Cup match against New Zealand the Australian halfback was deeply involved, was the most dangerous player on the field and created constant opportunities for his teammates.

Yet Thurston, 25, had been shattered at the sudden death of his uncle, Richard Saunders, in the early hours of Saturday and there had been concerns in the day preceding the match whether Thurston would have the mental fortitude and concentration to steer the Australian side around the Sydney Football Stadium.

Saunders, the brother of Thurston's mother, died after being attacked in a Brisbane park and two of his friends, aged 47 and 53 were injured.

Last night, a grieving Thurston played the game unaware Queensland police had charged two 17-year-old boys with grievous bodily harm and assault occasioning bodily harm in company while armed in relation to the attack.

But Thurston was able to put his family grief aside for 80 minutes and was a key man in the game. He kicked the first goal, setting up a 2-0 lead in the 11th minute and then linked with skipper Darren Lockyer to spread the ball wide, creating the first try for Greg Inglis. As usual, his tactical kicking game was important and he was his usual chatterbox self. At one point he made a line break, only held back from a breakaway try by a desperate Thomas Leuluai tackle.

Thurston clutched his right shoulder after that tackle and he may have some residual issues. Thurston had surgery on both shoulders in the off-season this year.

The only evidence of a lack of concentration was a couple of grubber kicks that handed possession to New Zealand, when a high bomb may have been a preferred option. Yet later in the game Thurston again found a gap, refused to let the ball die and flicked the ball inside to Billy Slater for the team's fourth try midway through the second half.

Thurston had decided not to take a management offer to step aside from last night's game after conferring with family and friends. When told of the death returning to the team's Coogee hotel on Saturday morning, an emotional Thurston immediately sought coach Stuart for advice.

The two had had several chats throughout the weekend and at one stage Thurston spoke to a counsellor. Stuart reminded Thurston how the singing of the national anthem was a raw time that would be exacerbated by the situation.

But yesterday Thurston reassured Stuart that he would take part in the game. But Thurston has told friends he might return to Queensland for Saunders' funeral, expected to be held at the end of this week.

The Kangaroos wore black armbands as a mark of respect.

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

Back to News Index | Back to Home