Apparently we confirmed Fulton yesterday …. 😕
KANGAROOS halfback Johnathan Thurston spoke of pleasure and pain yesterday.
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Pleasure came in the form of next year's Indigenous All Stars game, in which Thurston is expected to be a key figure. Pain took the form of last year's World Cup defeat, which he will play a key role in avenging as part of the Kangaroos side that flew out for England yesterday.
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At the announcement yesterday in Sydney of the players eligible for the Indigenous All Stars, Thurston beamed with pride. The selection process is predominantly by public vote, with fans asked to choose 16 players.
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The final four names will be chosen by coach Neil Henry and the selectors. Either way, Thurston will be involved.
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As one of the game's indigenous ambassadors, he can't wait. Even though the game won't be played for another four months, his enthusiasm was palpable.
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"I'm very excited about it," Thurston said.
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"I think all the indigenous boys are certainly looking forward to getting together for what should be a very exciting week.
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"I think the impact the game will have off the field will far out-weigh the impact it will have on the field.
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"We get to go out to the communities and promote the game and healthy eating and lifestyle choices. I know I have been walking down the street and there have been a fair few indigenous people coming up to me, they're that excited about it."
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Asked what his emotions will be like on the night -- the Indigenous All Stars side will play an NRL all-stars team at Skilled Park on the Gold Coast on February 13 -- Thurston said: "Probably all over the place, adrenalin pumping, you will be thinking of your family, your people, where you come from, where you have been brought up, what your family went through to get you where you have come.
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"I know my family that have passed on will certainly be looking down."
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Along with Thurston, the indigenous side could feature some of the NRL's biggest stars including Greg Inglis, Scott Prince, Wendell Sailor and Jamal Idris. The game could also mark Timana Tahu's return to top-level rugby league.
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That said, Thurston's priority at the moment is to avenge last year's World Cup loss to New Zealand. It is a defeat that still resonates with the Australian No7 and his teammates. Yesterday, Thurston compared the feeling last November, when Australia was beaten 34-20 by New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium, to his lone grand final loss with the Cowboys in 2005.
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"It was certainly probably one of the lowest points in my career," Thurston said. "World Cups only come around every four years and to be part of it was something special. We were beaten on the night.
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"When you think about it the back hunches over and it hurts a bit. I remember sitting in the sheds thinking 'what just happened?' We were beaten by a better side on the night."
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As for the comparison with grand final defeat, Thurston said: "They're two different losses. I suppose you could say it's the same.
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"You're playing with pretty much your best mates in both games. You lose a grand final you're shattered because that's what you train all year for.
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"The World Cup you get together, form a special bond and then lose the final. It's the same feeling -- gutted, can't believe it just happened."
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**Meanwhile, the Tigers yesterday announced the signing of former Brisbane winger Tame Tupou and the return of lock Liam Fulton, who spent last season with English club Huddersfield. But they still await a response from former Wallabies winger Lote Tuqiri.\
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NRL chief executive David Gallop reiterated yesterday Tuqiri would have to settle his overseas rugby union plans before he entered into a contract with any NRL club.\
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He also stressed the NRL would want to know the reasons for Tuqiri's dismissal from the Australian Rugby Union before it would ratify any deal.**
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And former NSW and Australian forward Dean Pay will join the Storm next year as under 20s coach. Pay replaces Brad Arthur, who has taken Michael Maguire's place as assistant to Craig Bellamy with the first-grade side.
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Maguire leaves next month to take over as coach at Wigan.