Up late watching NZ take on South Africa in the cricket, but before I go to sleep I'll post all the news on the big game yesterday. Why bother, you ask? Coz that's just the sort of guy I am!
Last of all, a couple of articles I missed from yesterday, but still interesting, including Andrew Johns' column (always worth a read, if only to wonder if he actually managed to write it himself - I think not!).
Johns twists again
By Greg Prichard and Glenn Jackson
April 17, 2006
Lean on me … Knights superstar Andrew Johns eases into his work in anticipation of another Cowboys attacking raid yesterday. Photo: Glen McCurtayne.
ANDREW Johns hobbled out of EnergyAustralia Stadium after yesterday's game on crutches and wearing a protective boot on his left foot, but Newcastle club doctor Peter McGeoch said he was confident it was no more than a "one- or two-week" injury.
That would mean that while the superstar is likely to be missing for the Knights in the short term, he should be back in time for his planned representative farewell for Australia in the Test against New Zealand in Brisbane on May 5.
"It's an ankle ligament injury," McGeoch said. "We'll reassess it during the week, but it's probably a one- or two-week injury. He was able to play on for basically the whole game with it, although he was obviously in some discomfort."
Johns, not only the greatest player in the world but arguably the fiercest competitor as well, was frustrated and angry in the dressing room after the game.
His ankle was badly swollen and rather than care too much about how it happened he was simply annoyed that it had. "I don't know what happened and I don't know how bad it is," Johns said. "Tomorrow will be an indicator, but it's not too flash. I'm shattered."
Johns will, no doubt, do his best to try to overcome the injury in time to play for Newcastle against Melbourne at Olympic Park on Saturday night, but McGeoch said that was a long-shot.
The veteran halfback was left limping after appearing to twist his ankle in a tackle in the 23rd minute. He aggravated it 10 minutes later, at which stage he temporarily went to the wing in defence. But, although the injury obviously restricted his running, he never left the field.
It is the second injury scare for Johns this season. Two weeks ago he missed the game against New Zealand Warriors with a neck injury.
Johns recently announced that he planned to miss the State of Origin series for NSW and exit from representative football with the Test, in which Australia will try to avenge their shock loss to the Kiwis in the Tri-Nations series final in England last November.
It remains to be seen whether North Queensland halfback Johnathan Thurston makes the Test squad - either at five-eighth, with Darren Lockyer being pushed back to fullback, or on the bench - but there were plenty of high-profile figures talking in support of him at yesterday's game.
Cowboys coach Graham Murray was adamant Thurston should be selected.
"My feeling is this Australian side is likely to be picked on the best players in the competition at this point of time," Murray said. "And he's one of the best players in this competition.
"If the Australian side is a true representation of the best players, there's no doubt in my mind he should be picked."
With Broncos five-eighth Lockyer set to avoid a move to fullback, Thurston's only avenue into the Australian side would seem to be from the bench. But selectors do consider Thurston a viable option on the interchange bench, believing he could play halfback, five-eighth and even hooker.
"All Johno can do is just keep playing the way he is," Cowboys skipper Travis Norton said. "It would be good to have a couple of players in the team.
"Six wins from six starts - what more can we do?"
Even Knights coach Michael Hagan was in on the act after Thurston helped orchestrate an 18-16 win over his side yesterday.
"He has come up against some pretty good opposition," Hagan said. "We handled him as well as we could, but he is certainly up there in the top 13 or 17 [players in Australia]. Whether he gets a start or not, I don't know, but he is in the top echelon."
Thurston wasn't alone, however. Matt Bowen's heroics at the death also pitched him into the debate, with Norton claiming the fullback should also be considered for a bench spot.
"He wouldn't let anyone down," Norton said. "No matter what team you put him in. He would be a big advantage - he's a runner and a ball-player."
Bowen failed to secure a seat on the plane for last year's ill-fated Tri-Nations campaign and admitted he was eyeing off a return to the Test arena.
"It's in the back of my mind," Bowen said. "But I just want to play well for the Cowboys. We'll see what happens from there."
From: http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/johns-twists-again/2006/04/16/1145126009483.html
Cowboys on top in the first round
By Greg Prichard
April 17, 2006
Newcastle 16 North Queensland 18
NORTH Queensland didn't ride out of Newcastle with all guns blazing after yesterday's game and the Knights didn't slink home and slash their wrists, either, because they both knew this was round one in a contest that will go at least two rounds, and probably more.
Either side might have won, and it took a moment of brilliance by perhaps the most dynamic player on the field - Cowboys fullback Matt Bowen, with his chip, chase and regather try in the 74th minute - to make the difference.
Even as the clock slipped inside the final 60 seconds, Newcastle might have stolen it back, when replacement forward Clint Newton intercepted a Bowen pass and raced downfield. But he didn't have the pace and Bowen had the guile to run in behind him and knock the ball from his grasp before regathering. Game finally over.
"You don't get too excited about it," said North Queensland coach Graham Murray. "We have won a really tough game in Newcastle and we will celebrate, but we're not going to get ahead of ourselves."
Knights coach Michael Hagan was similarly measured, saying: "I think it's just a good indication of where we stand, which is probably not too far behind them. There isn't much between the top teams."
The Knights, as they can when scheming players such as halfback Andrew Johns and hooker Danny Buderus are searching for ways, turned a 6-4 deficit into a 16-6 advantage with tries just on either side of half-time.
But in the second half, the weight of possession got heavy in North Queensland's favour and it became a matter of whether Newcastle were going to be able to hang on and win or get run over.
Cowboys halfback Johnathan Thurston, who had tried hard from the start but found it tough to orchestrate a way through the Newcastle defence in the first half, increased in effectiveness as the Knights began to tire.
Thurston's eyes must have bulged in delight when he saw Buderus rush up in defence at him in the 62nd minute. You either make that sort of tackle or you are dead, and the Knights hooker was DOA. Thurston slipped around Buderus and dashed 12 metres to score. North Queensland were coming to get the Knights, and in the end they couldn't be denied.
It was a strange sort of game, in which Newcastle looked to be in control for significant periods but could never feel comfortable because they simply couldn't put their stamp on it. The Cowboys, meanwhile, hung in there until they got their chance and took it.
Referee Paul Simpkins breaking down with a calf injury in the 28th minute made it even stranger. Tony De Las Heras, who had earlier refereed the Jersey Flegg game between Newcastle and Balmain, appeared from the tunnel several minutes later to take over as standby referee. It was his first appearance in first grade and he made a few mistakes, but in the circumstances, he went OK.
Newcastle halfback and captain Johns bravely stayed out there after injuring his left ankle in the 23rd minute.
Under the circumstances, he couldn't quite be the Johns we are used to, but he still had some impact.
The Knights said before the game they were going to make Thurston work and they did that, running a lot of traffic at him and trying to line him up for a good shot when he had the ball. His speed meant he managed to avoid most of the heavy collisions, but Knights fullback Milton Thaiday hit him with a full-blooded shoulder charge to the chest in the 45th minute.
Thurston was clearly stunned and stayed on the ground for a short time, but once he got up he soon found his way again. He is tough as well as classy.
Newcastle lost second-rower Kirk Reynoldson with a calf injury in the 33rd minute. He will be out for four to six weeks. Knights prop Craig Smith suffered a shoulder injury, but indicated that he would be able to back up against Melbourne at Olympic Park on Saturday.
Smith is an old stager who tells it like it is and he saw the game this way: "They got us through sheer perseverance. They probably taught us a bit of a lesson in the way they completed their sets and applied pressure. Good sides keep putting you under pressure and you can only defend for so long." Right on.
From: http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/cowboys-on-top-in-the-first-round/2006/04/16/1145126009480.html
Bowen betters the big names
By Jessica Halloran
April 17, 2006
ON AN afternoon that was billed to be a wrestle for star status between Andrew Johns and young Cowboy Johnathan Thurston, it was Matt Bowen who snuck in to suck up all the limelight.
The Cowboys utility back's show-stopping routine was planned, but coach Graham Murray wished he'd pulled that special chip-kick out earlier. In the first half, to be exact. Instead, Bowen's tricky try came when the Cowboys desperately needed it - they were trailing 16-12 with five minutes to go.
Less than 20 metres out from the Newcastle try line Bowen collected the ball, chipped over Danny Buderus, collected it again, then stepped past Knights fullback Milton Thaiday before steaming over the line.
"In the end, it was pretty special in the way Matt Bowen played it out," Murray said. "There's only a few blokes who can do that at that point in time and he's one of them.
"I needed someone like that to break it open. It was going to be Johnathan Thurston or Matt Bowen for us. For them, it was going to be Andrew Johns or Danny Buderus.
"I wished he'd done it in the first half … we talked about doing those things. He just had a good opportunity, he put a good weight on it, it was the right height and then - try."
More was still to come from Bowen, who saved an almost certain Knights score from Clint Newton.
Newton had intercepted the ball - from a Bowen pass - and heaved his frame down the field in a last-minute effort to save the day for the Knights. He had dragged his tired legs about 40 metres down the field when Bowen snuck up behind him and simply punched the ball out of his arms.
Newton couldn't hear Bowen's footsteps. "As soon as I caught the ball, I didn't have any vision of running 80 metres," Newton said. "I just pinned my ears back and decided to go as far as I could, and I didn't even know he was behind me. Maybe I am a bit of loose ball carrier, but he caught me a bit by surprise."
Newtown concluded he was just too slow and so Bowen's star status was cemented for the day.
"Someone was going to do something and I'm glad Matty pulled it out," Murray said. "He's exceptionally gifted when he's got the football because the opposition is not sure of what he's going to do with it."
From: http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/bowen-betters-the-big-names/2006/04/16/1145126009498.html
Bowen puts on magic display
By Phil Gould
April 17, 2006
THE ANALYST
COWBOYS fullback Matt Bowen is a very special player. I'm not telling you anything you don't already know. There have been any number of examples over the past few years of his talent and brilliance. But his match-winning try in the dying moments of yesterday's sensational game in Newcastle had to be seen to be believed.
It will leave an impression that lasts a lifetime.
It is hard to put into words what separates the really special players in our game from the mere mortals.
I am intrigued as to what goes through the mind of a player like Bowen in the heat of battle that helps him produce a play like the one we saw yesterday.
Picture this.
It's tackle five and the Cowboys are in possession 20 metres out from the Newcastle line and 15 metres in from the right-hand touch line. Bowen has positioned himself probably 25 metres from the play-the-ball line on the open side of the field at second receiver.
It's the last tackle, there are only five minutes left and his team is four points behind.
Now Bowen doesn't talk all that much, so I doubt he even called for the ball. It's probably just a look that he gives to his teammates that says I'm ready or perhaps it's his teammates who go looking for him when something special is needed.
As he stands there I would imagine a myriad of options are racing through his head. He has two support players on his inside and four teammates wide to his left ready to capitalise on anything he can create. But in the two seconds it takes for the ball to get from the play-the-ball area into his hands, something ignites the instinctive talent in this amazing player.
A long spiral pass from dummy half finds halfback Johnathan Thurston, who does not hesitate to deliver the ball wider to Bowen.
The ball spirals out in front of Bowen, forcing him to run on to it, slightly to his left.
As the ball touches his hands, his eyes catch a glimpse of how the Knights defensive line has reacted.
The defenders start to slide across field with the motion of the ball rather than come forward to put pressure on the Cowboys playmaker.
Now in possession, Bowen sees beyond the Newcastle bodies to a healthy area of green grass that separates fullback Milton Thaiday and the front line of defence. Suddenly Bowen ignores all those around him and instinct takes over.
Moving to his left, he delicately drops the ball onto the outside of his right foot, chipping over the heads of the Newcastle defenders.
While their attention is drawn to the ball, Bowen slices unimpeded past the big men and into the back field in pursuit of his delicate kick.
For a moment he may have been tempted to allow the ball to bounce, but this would leave luck in the lap of the gods. Instead, he accelerates, and with an outstretched right hand catches the ball in his fingertips.
By now, Thaiday has run forward to close down the play, but Bowen has seen him coming. With a snap of the left foot he springs past the Newcastle fullback.
He races over underneath the post carrying the ball confidently in one hand before touching down, then throwing the ball into the crowd on the southern hill. The Cowboys take the lead.
You can't give someone this ability. It can be neither taught nor planned. The inspiration comes from an early age, when a young Bowen first saw one of the stars of yesteryear perform a chip and chase. You only dream that one day you can do it in the big show on the big day.
A game when not an inch was given without a bruise to show for it, where amid defence, eyeballed attack and a refusal to relent the result was blown open by one man's brilliance.
The final score will show 18-16 in favour of the Cowboys, three tries apiece and only a missed conversion from the sideline by Newcastle's Andrew Johns the difference.
Bowen's performance was breathtaking and is typical of this Cowboys' undeniable self-belief and trust in their ability to win the tight games.
Their finals experience from the past two seasons was what helped them contend with a very good Newcastle side and 26,000 parochial Newcastle fans. They came from 10 points behind in the second half and something told you it was inevitable.
Still, even though there was an air of expectancy about the Cowboys finishing the stronger, Matt Bowen completed the task with a double exclamation point.
From: http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/bowen-puts-on-magic-display/2006/04/16/1145126009504.html
Knights fans blow whistle
Steve Ricketts
April 17, 2006
REFEREE Tony De Las Heras was the most unpopular person at Newcastle's EnergyAustralia Stadium yesterday after making his NRL debut in the most unusual and trying of circumstances.
The 33-year-old Sydney banker was called into action in the 28th minute of the Knights-Cowboys match after starting referee Paul Simpkins broke down with a calf muscle injury.
De Las Heras already had controlled the Jersey Flegg (under-20s) match between Newcastle and Balmain which finished two hours earlier.
It took several minutes before he could make his way from high up in the stand in the video referee's box to replace Simpkins.
Despite being put under enormous pressure by players from both teams and from the vocal home crowd, De Las Heras kept his composure.
Although an analysis of his performance might find plenty of faults, he showed the courage of his convictions.
Cowboys coach Graham Murray thought De Las Heras turned in a good performance, although he admitted to concerns over a knock-on ruling against interchange player Rod Jensen in the 75th minute when it was clear Knights forward Daniel Tolar had kicked the ball.
"I think he did a pretty good job in the end that bloke," Murray said. "They were pretty tough circumstances."
Jensen admitted he had almost lost his cool because the knock-on ruling was made in a good attacking position for Newcastle with the Cowboys clinging to an 18-16 lead.
"The ref just told me to be quiet and I thought it could get worse if I mouthed off," Jensen said. "Three tackles after that I think I stopped Kurt Gidley in front of the posts.
"That kind of made up for the mistake I didn't make, if that makes sense.
"When the penalty was given I thought that could be the game because anything can happen when you give Andrew Johns such a good attacking position. But the boys defended that set well and we got out of jail."
Newcastle coach Michael Hagan's view mirrored that of the home fans who booed De Las Heras as he left the field.
"He was probably up there having a cafe latte when he was called on to the field," Hagan said.
"He might have thought he was in Townsville the way the penalties went."
De Las Heras gave a string of penalties to North Queensland midway through the second half when the Cowboys scored through halfback Johnathan Thurston off a pass from skipper Travis Norton.
Penalties went the Knights' way after that but they were not able to capitalise.
From: http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/story/0,20797,18831572-5003409,00.html
Johns' big day soured by Bowen try
Stuaert Honeysett
April 17, 2006
IT was supposed to be a day to remember for Andrew Johns, but it ended up being a day to forget.
The Newcastle captain played a club record 230th game against North Queensland yesterday, but the celebrations were spoiled by a piece of Matt Bowen brilliance that sank the home team -- and by Johns finishing the game with ankle ligament damage.
Johns will have scans tomorrow to determine the extent of the injury. The signs were not good after he left EnergyAustralia Stadium on crutches and wearing a protective boot on his left ankle.
He also faces the prospect of missing what has been slated as a farewell Test appearance against New Zealand on May 5.
"I don't know what happened and I don't know how bad it is," Johns said. "Tomorrow will be an indicator. It's not too flash."
Johns is expected to miss at least Saturday night's game against Melbourne at Olympic Park. He is also unlikely to play the following week against South Sydney at Telstra Stadium.
That is a damaging blow for Newcastle, given its record of being unable to cope without him -- a point that was proven two weeks ago when the Knights minus Johns lost at home against the bottom-placed Warriors.
The 31-year-old halfback damaged the ligament while making a tackle midway through the first half and he had to have the ankle re-strapped at half-time after aggravating it before the break.
He showed remarkable courage to stay on the field and his decision was probably influenced by the fact that the Knights lost second-rower Kirk Reynoldson earlier with a torn calf.
"His ankle is a bit sore," Knights coach Michael Hagan said. "It blew up a little bit. He was probably harnessed by that a fair bit, in the second half."
Johns had already proven his class in the opening 10 minutes of the top-of-the-table clash when he combined with five-eighth Kurt Gidley to put brother Matt Gidley over for the first try.
Even on one leg, the Knights captain could not be stopped and he helped set up a George Carmont try after the Cowboys had taken the lead through a Mitchell Sargent four-pointer.
The Knights gained valuable breathing space when Test hooker Danny Buderus dived over to take the lead to 16-6, but Newcastle proceeded to collapse under a mounting penalty count against it and with no possession.
Their cause did not seem to be helped when referee Paul Simpkins left the field with a calf injury 10 minutes before half-time and was replaced by Jersey Flegg official Tony De Las Heras.
"He was probably having a latte when the other bloke got injured," Hagan said. "I don't think he was prepared or expecting that, to be honest. He might have thought he was in Townsville, perhaps."
Whether he did or not made no difference to Johnathan Thurston. The match had been billed as a showdown between the game's best player, in Johns, and the player in the best form, Thurston, but the Knights were determined to keep the Cowboys halfback quiet and worked him over in both attack and defence.
Thurston broke the shackles midway through the second half when Buderus sprinted off his goal line to try to shut down a dangerous play and the halfback quickly skirted around him to reduce the deficit to 16-12.
Officials said Thurston was unable to talk afterwards, following heavy knocks from Newcastle players, but he was seen joking and signing autographs with fans outside the ground and appeared in fine spirits.
"He wasn't the main star of the day, but he certainly held us together in tough times and he's very much an inspirational bloke when he takes on those big fellas with the football," coach Graham Murray said.
The honour of being the star of the day, however, went to Bowen.
With six minutes left and the Knights grimly defending their own line and a 16-12 lead, the livewire fullback chipped and regathered before stepping past Newcastle fullback Milton Thaiday to race over the line and put the visitors back in front.
"It was just off the top of my head," Bowen said. "I didn't realise who was in front of me because I didn't have time to do that. It was good."
Bowen nearly undid his good work when he threw a late pass intercepted by Clint Newton, but he chased the Knights forward, knocking the ball out of his hands.
"All the boys said at the end of the game: 'Lucky it was Clint Newton'," Bowen said. "He had a bit of speed, but lucky it wasn't the other pretty boys or it would make it a tough chase for us."
The significance of the moment was not lost on his coach, either, who reflected on yesterday's absorbing arm-wrestle between the two best sides in the competition.
"It lived up to expectations, I think," Murray said.
From: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,18834515-2722,00.html
Knights prove up with best of them
Brent Read and Stuart Honeysett
April 17, 2006
IF North Queensland is the NRL's benchmark, Newcastle is not far behind.
That was the message from the Knights sheds after their two-point loss to the undefeated Cowboys yesterday at EnergyAustralia Stadium.
Newcastle controlled most of the match until Andrew Johns' ankle injury in the 32nd minute, and a mounting penalty count -- which finished 12-6 in the Cowboys' favour -- took its toll on the home side in the second half.
"We're probably not too far behind them," Newcastle coach Michael Hagan said. "There's probably not too much between the top teams anyway."
Hagan's stance was echoed by his players, who defended heroically in the first half, particularly on their own line.
In the second half, the welter of penalties and handling lapses caught up with the Knights, Cowboys Matt Bowen putting them to the sword when he scored a memorable solo try with six minutes remaining.
"They test you a lot up the middle," prop Craig Smith said.
"We knew they were going to go there today and they did. It was a tough, physical game that got away from us probably from our mistakes."
The loss spoiled what should have been a day of celebration for Knights pair Johns and Matthew Gidley, the former making a record 230th first-grade appearance for Newcastle and the latter joining the 200-game club.
Gidley certainly did not disgrace himself, scoring the game's opening try in the 10th minute and playing a starring role in George Carmont's try one minute before half-time when he produced an eye-catching off-load under pressure.
However, while Gidley was solid, it was a mixed day for Test hooker Danny Buderus, who regularly found holes in the North Queensland defence and scored a strong try from dummy-half in the opening minute of the second half.
However, he was caught out defensively when he fell off Steve Southern in the lead-up to Mitchell Sargent's 33rd-minute try and missed Johnathan Thurston in the 62nd minute.
"You can't invite them down there too many times from penalties and incompletions," Buderus said. "They have too many gamebreakers to keep defending your line, but credit to the boys because they did that for a lot of the game."
The Knights are to play Melbourne at Olympic Park on Saturday night and are likely to be without Johns.
Newcastle's record without Johns is well-documented and its only loss this season before yesterday was against the Warriors when the halfback had a neck injury.
From: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,18832778-2722,00.html
Hero so nearly villain
Steve Ricketts
April 17, 2006
MATT Bowen admitted to relief his match-winning play was not cancelled out by a moment of madness in the dying seconds of the Cowboys' top-of-the-table NRL win over the Knights in Newcastle yesterday.
Bowen, who took a lot of pressure off chief playmaker Johnathan Thurston in a gruelling second half, scored a trademark chip kick-and-regather try seven minutes from fulltime to make the score 18-16 after the home side had led 16-6 early in the second half.
But with barely 30 seconds left, Bowen threw a long pass 15m out from the Knights line, only to see the ball snatched out of the air by Knights interchange forward Clint Newton, who raced 40m before Bowen hauled him in and stole the ball in the process.
"A few of the boys said at the end of the game I was lucky it was Clint Newton and not Milton Thaiday," Bowen said. "But Newton still had speed and I was lucky to get away with it."
Bowen said the match-winner was "off the top of the head" and was not part of the game plan.
"We spoke about it during the week to try to play what is in front of you and today it came off," Bowen said. "It was just an off-the-top-of-the-head thing.
"We still didn't think we had the game won then because Andrew Johns and Matt Gidley can throw the ball around and score from anywhere on the park."
Thaiday, a north Queensland product, had a fine game for Newcastle and Bowen said he deserved to come into consideration for the Queensland State of Origin squad.
Both players would have impressed Queensland selector Alan Smith, who was in the stands.
"Milton has to be in there with a good shot," Bowen said. "I wish him all the best and I said that to him after the game. It would be good to see him there."
The Cowboys have now won four out of their past five matches against Newcastle and yesterday's win is probably the best, given the hype beforehand.
But Cowboys coach Graham Murray said his players were not not getting ahead of themselves.
"We don't get too excited about things," Murray said. "I think this is pretty controlled. We're not going overboard about it.
"We won a tough game in Newcastle, which we're quite proud of and we'll celebrate. But we're just a good footy team.
"'The game lived up to expectations, I think. In the end it was a pretty special win the way Matty Bowen scored that try. Only a few blokes in the game could do that and he's one of them.
"Weight of possession probably went our way in the second half but the boys still had to be patient and it was good they still had confidence they could get out of it after being down 16-6.
"Right across the park we had a dig."
Cowboys skipper Travis Norton said he was proud of his men for being able to hold a side like Newcastle to 16 points.
"The result came down to defence," Norton said. "Newcastle have been averaging something like 40 points a game. The result says wonders for us."
Newcastle opened the scoring through centre Matt Gidley in the 10th minute from a pass by younger brother Kurt and it took the Cowboys until the 34th minute to reply through prop Mitchell Sargent who charged over between posts after lead-up work by Aaron Payne and Steve Southern.
That gave the Cowboys a 6-4 lead but tries just before and after halftime by the Knights seemingly had the Cowboys on the ropes.
Hooker Danny Buderus did not deserve to be on the losing side.
His workrate in defence was extraordinary and with Johns hobbled by a leg injury Buderus also provided spark in attack.
Given his workload, it was no wonder Buderus was found wanting when Cowboys halfback Johnathan Thurston scored in the 63rd minute. Thurston got outside the tiring Buderus and Norton found him with a perfect pass.
From: http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/story/0,20797,18832519-5003409,00.html
Thurston impresses rival coaches
April 16, 2006
RIVAL coaches Graham Murray and Michael Hagan have urged Australia selectors to pick Johnathan Thurston in the Anzac Test after he starred in North Queensland's 18-16 thriller against Newcastle at EnergyAustralia Stadium today.
The sellout match was dubbed a possible grand final preview due to the scintillating early-season form of both teams, with halfbacks Johns and Thurston receiving plenty of media attention as the form players in the NRL.
The two superstars delivered performances to match the hype, Thurston holding his own against Johns, scoring a try and coming up with some crucial plays to get the visitors home.
Johns struggled for most of the match after rolling his ankle, with club doctor Neil Halpin admitting he was "in some doubt" for the clash with Melbourne next Saturday.
Cowboys coach Murray said Thurston deserved a Test call-up.
"My philosophy is that with the Australian side you have to give them the best players in the competition at this point in time," Murray said.
"He is one the best players in this competition.
"He copped plenty of hits and he (handled) it quite well.
"He wasn't the main star out there today, but he's certainly held us together well in tough times.
"He's very much an inspirational bloke."
Newcastle mentor Hagan agreed: "He's one of the form players of the competition ... I thought we handled him today probably as well as we could.
"I think he's certainly in the top 13 or 17 in the country."
From: http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,18830416-23214,00.html
Injury outs Johns again
April 16, 2006
Newcastle 16 Cowboys 18
NEWCASTLE captain Andrew Johns could be sidelined for up to two weeks after suffering ankle ligament damage in his side's thrilling loss to North Queensland at EnergyAustralia Stadium tonight.
Despite rolling his left ankle in the 32rd minute of game, Johns played through the pain after having his foot re-strapped at half-time. Knights doctor Neil Halpin said Johns was an "outside chance" of playing against Melbourne next Saturday night, but it's likely he'll be sidelined for one to two weeks.
Johns was too upset to speak after the match, only offering an "I'm shattered" when asked about the injury in the sheds.
The sellout match was dubbed a possible grand final preview due to the scintillating early-season showings of both teams, with halfbacks Johns and Thurston receiving plenty of media attention as the form players in the game.
Despite Johns' injury, the match lived up to the hype, with Thurston scoring a crucial try and the Newcastle playmaker calling the shots for the Knights in his club record 230th game.
While all eyes were on the halfbacks, it was excitement machine Matt Bowen who made the match-winning play, scoring a spectacular solo try six minutes from full-time to steal victory for the visitors.
With seemingly nothing on, Bowen chipped ahead from the opposition's 30-metre line and regathered before stepping past Knights fullback Milton Thaiday to score.
"It was just one of those top-of-my head things that come to me now and then," Bowen said.
Cowboys coach Graham Murray described it as "pretty special".
"There are few blokes that can do it at that point in time – he's one of them."
Both coaches agreed that Thurston had done enough to deserve Test selection.
"My philosophy is that with the Australian side you have to give them the best players in the competition in this point in time," Murray said.
"He is one the best players in this competition."
Newcastle coach Michael Hagan agreed.
"He's one of the form players of the competition ... I thought we handled him today probably as well as we could.
"I think he's certainly in the top 13 or 17 in the country.
"Whether or not he gets a start, he's in the top echelon of players at the moment."
With the attacking talents of Bowen, Johns, Thurston and Danny Buderus on show, a capacity crowd of 26,048 were expecting an avalanche of tries, but the defence of both sides was a hallmark of the game.
And in a dramatic twist, referee Paul Simpkins pulled his calf muscle in the 28th minute and was unable to continue, pitching little-known whistleblower Tony Des Las Heras into the fray.
In what was an unexpected first grade debut after earlier officiating in Jersey Flegg, Des Las Heras caned the home side, with the Cowboys winning the penalty count 12-6.
Despite injuries to Kirk Reynoldson (calf) and knocks to Brian Carney Johns, the Knights took command after scoring tries a minute either side of half-time.
But a try to Thurston in the 73rd minute kept them in the game and then Bowen's scorcher proved the difference.
NEWCASTLE 16 (D Buderus G Carmont M Gidley tries A Johns 2 goals)
NORTH QUEENSLAND 18 (M Bowen M Sargent J Thurston tries J Thurston 3 goals) at EnergyAustralia Stadium.
Referee: Paul Simpkins (replaced by Tony Des Las Heras).
Crowd: 26,048.
From: http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,18830019-23214,00.html
Last of all, a couple of articles I missed from yesterday, but still interesting, including Andrew Johns' column (always worth a read, if only to wonder if he actually managed to write it himself - I think not!).
I love way Jonathan plays
By Andrew Johns
April 16, 2006
I'M against having a hard and fast rule but I'm still a believer in not rushing young players into first grade too soon.
Sometimes it is unavoidable, with the skill level of some players - or injuries to the senior men - demanding they be chosen in the top grade.
Which brings me to the NRL's man of the moment, Johnathan Thurston. He has developed into an unbelievable talent during his time at North Queensland and represents a huge challenge for Newcastle today.
I love the way he plays. It's like watching the kid with all the skills bamboozling his mates in the backyard. He is not programmed at all. His brain is uncluttered.
He plays what's in front of him and reacts to what is going on around him rather than with some preconceived idea of what he should be doing in certain situations.
Just as importantly, when he makes a decision he is not weighed down by the fear of making mistakes. A player of his ability with that sort of confidence is a potent weapon.
But Thurston hasn't just emerged out of the woodwork.
He has definitely stepped up a notch or two over the past 18 months to become one of the game's premier players. He is no overnight success story.
The platform for his success was laid when he was at the Bulldogs. He was a player everyone earmarked as someone to watch back then.
But with Brent Sherwin and Braith Anasta having a mortgage on the half and five-eighth positions, Thurston bided his time in the lower grades.
Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes gave him a taste of the top grade every now and again when injuries intervened. There were other times when he was used off the bench, but he was allowed to develop in a good learning environment.
We have a similar situation at Newcastle with Jarrod Mullen. He played a handful of top-grade games last year because he had to and handled himself really well.
I know that Mullen is headed for big things down the track, but he will be that much better for being able to continue his development in Premier League this season without having to deal with the added pressures of playing first grade on a consistent basis.
Getting back to Thurston. Folkes, while disappointed he is not still wearing the blue and white of the Bulldogs, can at least be satisfied he played a role in that development.
And Cowboys coach Graham Murray can take a big slice of the credit for the way he has come on.
Murray identified his potential by attracting him to North Queensland and developing a playing style which has complemented his talents and those of Matt Bowen. He has encouraged their free spirit rather than suppressed it.
Three or four years ago, the Cowboys coming to Newcastle would have barely created a ripple of interest from Knights supporters.
In the build-up to today's game, they have been lining up outside the Knights' office trying to buy tickets.
The buzz around the place is enormous.
Our forward pack is going gang-busters but will need to be at its peak against one of the competition's hardest-working engine rooms.
We'll be aiming to limit Thurston and Bowen's opportunities with the ball and I'm sure the game will live up to its billing.
From: http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,18821856-23214,00.html
Joey anoints Thurston
Peter Badel
16 April 2006
NEWCASTLE champion Andrew Johns has paid Johnathan Thurston the ultimate compliment by anointing the Cowboys sensation as his Test successor.
As the playmakers get set to square off in today's top-of-the-table clash between Newcastle and North Queensland, Johns believes Thurston has the talent and composure to uphold Australia's rich tradition of class halfbacks.
"I don't see why he can't," said the Knights skipper when asked if Thurston can be the man to succeed him in the Test No.7 jumper after Johns's swansong in the May 5 Test against New Zealand.
"I've only got one more game to go, but I really believe Thurston's a special player.
"I've sung his praises this year – I think he's gone to the next level as a player.
"He's a rare player in our game today. He can play visually, he can play off the cuff, he's not tied down to a set structure.
"Basically, he's not afraid to make an error. He's a phenomenal talent."
Regardless of Thurston's performance against Johns today, the bottom line is the Knights maestro is guaranteed the halfback spot against the Kiwis.
But for Thurston it will be a barometer of his maturity as a playmaker, and the damage he could potentially wreak if selectors take a gamble and pair him with Johns at the Australian scrum base for the Anzac Test.
Despite Johns being nine years older and never having played with Thurston, they are bound by an insatiable thirst for rugby league knowledge.
Johns is the NRL's answer to the mad scientist, his mind constantly churning to find new frontiers and probe accepted methods. On his day off, it is nothing for him to head to a local park with Knights teammate Kurt Gidley, where they work on an assortment of kicks.
Thurston is no different. Beneath the happy-go-lucky exterior, he is serious about his football.
Last week, he compiled his own video footage of Johns and went to work on his boyhood idol, attempting to identify flaws in the closest thing to rugby league perfection.
"I've been looking at the lines he runs, when he is going through the defence, how he brings support players through," Thurston said.
Both have also encountered adversity. Thurston admits he temporarily went "off the rails" following a recent break-up with his partner. It came just months after his mother Debbie collapsed with swelling on the brain and his grandmother Elsie suffered a massive heart attack.
Johns said his career flashed before him when he suffered a neck injury a fortnight ago.
"I was worried because of the injury problems I've had in the past," he admits. "I had to drive down to see the doc and I asked my missus to come with me . . . just in case I got the bad news.
"It was a relief to be cleared. The way things are going at Newcastle this year, the last thing I wanted was another kick in the guts."
From: http://www.thesundaymail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,18826364%5E2764,00.html