Johnathan Thurston will make his long-awaited Auckland Nines debut this weekend, after North Queensland confirmed his selection today. Thurston will finally be unleashed at Eden Park, after missing the first three Auckland campaigns, sharing the Nines captaincy reins with Queensland backrower Gavin Cooper. New recruits ex-Melbourne playmaker Ben Hampton and former Titans backrower Shane Wright have also been picked. "I think the Nines is a great tournament," Cowboys coach Paul Green said. Cowboys' Auckland Nines squad: John Asiata, Javid Bowen, Gavin Cooper (capt), Kyle Feldt, Gideon Gela-Mosby, Jake Granville, Ben Hampton, Coen Hess, Shaun Hudson, Corey Jensen, Kane Linnett, Ethan Lowe, Michael Morgan, Justin O'Neill, Kalyn Ponga, Jason Taumalolo, Johnathan Thurston, Shane Wright.

Source: New Zealand Herald January 31, 2017 01:07 UTC