League: Thurston raring to go for Auckland Nines

Johnathan Thurston of the Cowboys. Photo / Getty Images

North Queensland Cowboys star Johnathan Thurston will be on deck to help his side defend their NRL Auckland Nines title in 2015.

The Cowboys captain and halfback is currently recovering from a shoulder operation which ruled him out of the Four Nations tournament but will be fit and ready to go to make his first appearance at the Nines preseason tournament at Eden Park on January 31 and February 1.

"It looked like a lot of fun watching the boys on TV this year so I've put my hand up to compete in it," Thurston said during a promotional visit to Auckland on Friday.

"The Cowboys are sweet with it and I've got all the green lights.

"With over 90,000 people through the gates over the two days that showed it was a lot of fun and something different and something that I want to be a part of."

Thurston sat out this year's inaugural tournament but found himself wrestling with mixed emotions as he watched from home in Townsville as his Cowboys teammates went on to win the title.

"I was very proud of the boys the way they hung in there and ended up winning the inaugural Nines trophy. I had a bit of itchy feet watching the boys so I want to be a part of it.

"It looked like a lot of fun on the TV and the fans really got behind it, dressing up in costumes and our club and the players really enjoyed it as well.

"We were in the same pool as the Warriors so they played before or after the Cowboys and they said the atmosphere when those boys were playing was something they had never experienced before."

The 31-year-old veteran is looking forward to beginning the season with a clean bill of health and said his recovery from surgery was progressing well.

"It's [shoulder] coming along heaps better now. I'm not getting any pain, it's not waking me up at night from soreness and it's recovering really well.

"I start training next week and I'm looking forward to getting back into it with the boys and having a good preseason under my belt."

The enforced layoff has been refreshing and allowed Thurston to spend some quality time with his young family, while he and his partner are expecting a new addition to the household early next year.

"Yeah I really have [enjoyed the break] actually. I've been able to spend a lot of time with my daughter who is nearly 18 months. She's got swimming lessons three times a week so it's been good to just stay home and recover and spend time with family. We've got another one on the way and due in March."

He has found it difficult watching his beloved Kangaroos side play throughout the Four Nations and described himself as a poor spectator although he had plans to catch the tournament final.

"Nah I'm not a good spectator at all. It was very hard watching the boys in the first week but they're a completely different side to what they were in the first week and they are hitting their straps at the right time. The Kiwis have been great all tournament and it's going to be a cracker of a match.

"I'll have a couple of friends around and we'll have a barbie and watch the game. I'll be cheering the Aussie boys on. I think they've got the right mix in the team and will be too strong for the Kiwis."