North Queensland Cowboys teammate Lachlan Coote says Australian playmaker Johnathan Thurston won’t rush himself back to play for the Kangaroos against New Zealand on May 5th despite Australian Coach Mal Meninga admitting Thurston wouldn’t necessarily have to prove he’s over a calf injury for the Cowboys before the Test in Canberra meaning the legendary half would have had no footy before the GIO Stadium showdown.

Meninga said Thurston would come into camp with Australia ahead of the match.

But Coote knows exactly what Thurston is going through still missing from the Cowboys team with his own calf injury.

“It’s still early in the season, obviously it’s a big thing to miss a Test and he’ll [Thurston] want to play, but he won’t rush back in any way,” Coote told The Townsville Bulletin.

“He’ll be smart, and we’ve got smart medical staff as well. He’s doing all the right things.

“My calf has given me a bit of grief so far, but I’m giving it a couple more weeks to get right and hopefully I’ll be ready for the Bulldogs [Round 11].”

If Thurston does play, he’ll run onto the field with close friend and fellow legend Cameron Smith in his 50th International.