Thurston to fight charge

Johnathan Thurston has vowed to fight a charge imposed by the NRL match review committee which could see him miss the deciding Origin match.

Thurston was been hit with a grade two contrary conduct charge after knocking over referee Matt Cecchin during Saturday’s 30-10 win over the New Zealand Warriors.

A statement from the Cowboys read: “The incident occurred when the Cowboys halfback came across in cover defence as NZ Warriors five-eighth James Maloney was on his way to the tryline for his side’s opening points.

“The Cowboys have engaged solicitor Geoff Bellew to act on Thurston’s behalf at Wednesday night’s hearing at NRL headquarters in Sydney.”

If suspended, Thurston will miss Friday’s clash with Penrith, the third and final match of the State of Origin series and the round 18 game with Newcastle on July 18.

The club have yet to make a decision on whether or not to appeal a grade two dangerous contact charge against second-rower Tariq Sims after an apparent “crusher” tackle on Warriors winger Krisnan Inu.