League: Johnathan Thurston on track to face Kiwis in ANZAC test

Johnathan Thurston in action for the Kangaroos. Photo / Getty

Johnathan Thurston says he's on track to play for Australia in Friday night's Test against New Zealand in Canberra.

But Thurston said if he feels any of the soreness which led to him withdrawing from North Queensland's match against Parramatta last week, he won't play in the Anzac Test at GIO Stadium.

"The session I did this morning was high intensity and I didn't feel any soreness from it like I did last week," Thurston said on Monday.

"If it keeps going the way it's going I'll be fit to play."

While he hopes to make a call by Wednesday, Thurston admitted a decision could come as late as match day.

"Every time there's an opportunity to represent my country I want to play in the game but the team comes first," Thurston said.

"I need to be selfless in this instance in making sure that I make the best decision for the team.

"If the calf pulls up with any soreness I'll pull the pin straight away."

Cowboys coach Paul Green has appealed for the Kangaroos not to risk his star player if he's underdone, with a chance he could miss up to eight weeks by aggravating the injury.

While Thurston hasn't spoken to Green about it, he says his club coach knows he will play if he is fit.

"If I had any doubt that I was going to re-injure it I wouldn't be putting myself at risk and it wouldn't be fair to the team," Thurston said.

"I need to get through training tomorrow and obviously Thursday and then I'll be fully confident in my own head and my body that I'll be right to go."

Thurston got through the Cowboys' final training session before Friday night's match without issue but pulled up sore on match day.

"I've done some general play kicking this morning from about 55 (metres) out and didn't feel anything then," he said.

"Now it's just about seeing how it pulls up this afternoon or tomorrow."

If Thurston is forced to withdraw, Cronulla star James Maloney will wear the No. 6 jersey

"Mentally he's got to prepare to be able to play," Thurston said.

- AAP