Broncos hope Thurston has quiet night

The Broncos have a simple game plan to stop Johnathan Thurston on one of North Queensland's biggest nights - hope he has an off game.

Tautau Moga.

North Queensland centre Tautau Moga's NRL career is in doubt after a serious knee injury. (AAP)

The plan to combat North Queensland dangerman Johnathan Thurston will be simple, Brisbane say - hope he has an off night.

But Cowboys coach Paul Green reckons there will be little chance of that happening as his side prepares for one of the biggest nights in the NRL club's history.

Broncos coach Wayne Bennett admitted debates would rage for years over whether Thurston was the game's best.

He said Thurston "should be in that conversation", but he hoped the Cowboys playmaker did not show why in their blockbuster NRL clash in Townsville on Friday night.

"He's a wonderful player. He's a credit to the game what he brings - and I have coached a lot of champion players," he said.

Asked how they would stop him, Bennett simply said: "Hopefully you get them on a bad day."

Green said that was not likely considering the occasion.

Celebrating their 20th anniversary season, North Queensland will wear their 2015 Heritage strip featuring the names of every Cowboy to play first grade from 1995 on Friday night.

And on Saturday night the Cowboys will hold an anniversary dinner which will reunite former players, name their 20-year team and launch their Hall of Fame with inaugural inductees.

The Cowboys are also hoping to avenge their round three 44-22 loss to Brisbane by celebrating their 200th overall victory with a club record seventh straight win.

"I am sure every coach who plays against us hopes JT has a bad night," Green said.

"(But) it's a big game, big occasion and class players generally rise to the top in those situations.

"Hopefully Friday night is no different."

Green said he was not interested in records but admitted the side were well aware of the hype surrounding their anniversary game.

"Without overstating it I think the boys realise it will be a big week for the club," he said.

Bennett believed the script could not have been written better with top of the table Brisbane meeting fourth placed North Queensland in the Cowboys anniversary clash, claiming it was the biggest derby in years.

"It probably is. It will be a pretty special night I have no doubt about that," he said.

"The 20 year part for them is important.

"They were one of the better decisions made with expansion.

"They've had their teething problems but they are a quality football team now and have been for the last four or five years."

North Queensland have won four of their last five home games against Brisbane.

Meanwhile, Green confirmed Tautau Moga had suffered a serious knee injury but hoped the Cowboys centre would play again.

"It (league return) is not out of the question by any stretch," Green said of Moga who was injured playing for Tonga in the recent Pacific Test against Samoa.

"He's only a young guy so he's got time on his side."


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Source: AAP


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