Johnathon Thurston says he’s increasingly likely to take his place in the Australian team for Friday nights ANZAC Test against New Zealand.

The Australian five eighth hasn’t played for his club North Queensland for three weeks after suffering a calf injury.

While Thurston (pictured) says he won’t take the field unless fully fit, there’s no more important player for the Kangaroos and with Thurstons renowned ability to recover from injury, there’s no doubt he’ll be given every chance to prove his fitness for captain Cameron Smiths 50th match for Australia.