American's FIRST EVER Reaction to JOHNATHAN THURSTON ⎮I’m Blown Away 🔥😱 

He’s a footy freak & we all love him. He’s a dedicated loving father to his beautiful daughters too. He is a proud indigenous man who is a remarkable role model & mentor to our youth too.

for injuries jt had damaged his shoulder in the match you see the score at 16 to 16. he played the entire game he got injured in the 12th minute.stayed on and won qld the game

The Johnathan Thurston story is quite amazing. He made his debut in the NRL in 2004. No teams wanted him because he is definitely a smaller player and offered to play for Cantebury (A Sydney team in New South Wales as a bench player {fill in for an injured player}] for very little money. But come 2005 he changed to his home team The North Queensland Cowboys and played a phenomenal year and was selected to represent Queensland in the State of Origin, and has has always played throughout his career with an extremely high level of skill. He has missed 1 State of origin Series and a decent chunk of the NRL season with a pretty nasty injury. But when it comes to kicking a conversion (The 2 point kick to kick it between the post after a try/ touchdown), I have never seen him miss the critical game or origin series winning kick. He is one of the NRL immortals (GOATS of NRL). They also have a life size bronze statue of him at the entry of the Townsville stadium (NQ Cowboys).

Just a quick note. There are 2 types of game with Rugby in their name and they are different games. Rugby Union has 15 men, with a 7 man scrum, rucks, mauls, lineouts and a different scoring system. Rugby League which you are watching here has 13 men per side, 5 man scrums, a limited tackle rule of six tackles before turning the ball over or scoring. Thurston played League, most ppl refer Rugby Union as Rugby and Rugby League as League.

Look at 6.57 and you'll see what sort of great sportsman he is. You'll notice he picks his tee up after every kick and hands it to the ball boy with great affection. This is one of the reasons I think he is one of the greatest even though I am from New South Wales.

J.T is called the "Maestro" for a reason. Another player(retired) who is regarded as one of the greatest is Darren Lockyer. His play manoeuvring was beyond exceptional, especially in Origin and Billy slater was playing. Those 2 together did some great things

Happy to chat about our wonderful NRL. It's a fantastic sport and we'd love more people to check it out around the world

The best way to describe Jonathan Thurston is that he started his career with Canterbury Bankstown he then asked to move home to North Queensland at the end of he's contract. Canterbury released him with two years left on his contract so he could sign with The North Queensland Cowboys. He then spent the rest of his career playing for that team to honor the fact that Canterbury Allowed him to move home early. As a Lifetime member of the Bulldogs and a NSW fan I have the utmost respect for Jonathan Thurston not only as a player but as a man of his word...

On his early days of his career, everyone wrote him off. They said he was too small, chicken legs, etc. He proved them all wrong and became a footy legend. I am a fan of North Queensland Cowboys simply because of i admire of his passion of the game. Thanks for what you have given us JT 🤠❤️

#JT , A true gentleman of the game 💯 Take note of the sacrifices he makes for his team. After he kicks a pinpoint accuracy kick, drawing the defence up as far as possible, he gets smashed by the opposition, and gets straight back up. One of the best minds in the game and hardest competitor. Whether with the ball or without, he fought nail and tooth for every metre.

For 10 years while Jonathan was in state of origin he dominated an the team

I miss Thurston so much. Absolute greatest of all time

Jonathan Thurston had to go through a DOUBLE shoulder reconstruction at the end of his fifth season in the NRL (the top Rugby League competition in the southern hemisphere, and arguably the world). He was set to return a month into his 6th season (2008), but recovered so fast he made it back for the first game. Not only did he recover from the massively hampering surgery, he went on win 9 out of his next 10 State of Origin series'. He was a major factor in the "Queensland Dynasty", a group of 5 of the greatest player the game has ever seen, who won 8 State of Origin series' back-to-back (2006-2013, and the previous record was 3, so they broke the record 5 years in a row haha).

Queensland did dominate for many years thanks in part to this man I'm from New South Wales I bleed blue that hurt to say

He is also a really nice person with the best laugh.

State of origin is a 3 game series that happens once a year. It's always a great watch

He was a freak but his best attribute was his ability to control and read a game, like a nfl qb controling the clock, this guy got a small stoppage in play (which can be huge for your team) to rest his team and let them gear up to the next setbof defense, just super smart, i am also a kiwi who watched him smash us for 15 years

It is great to be a supporter of Queensland! I remember I went outside at half time and you could hear the neighbours' TV with the game on. What made Qld so great is that a lot of the team also played their same positions for Australia. I know statistics are boring but if this helps en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_of_Origin_series

Touching the ball down is all you need to do. JT was a guru, he took a lot on his shoulders for a little guy. Great footage as well, State of origin is pinnacle sport, and NSW do win but when JT was playing they had at least 3'all time greats playing. Good to see you clock Israel Folau , the gazelle jumper, he's the only guy to play 3 professional sports, NRL, Rugby Union ( representing Australia in both, the last guy in 18 years or so to do it) as well as playing AFL ( Australian Rules Football, australias biggest sport , just above NRL but well above Rugby in popularity and tv ratings ) He is the aerial king, the Randy Moss of rugby. Thanks for the shout out btw, ( its 3 games a year but you have to wait till june) , also the NRL season started this weekend, 5 min highlights packages of each game are on youtube ( not a request just a heads up for some casual viewing)

Once a year, it’s awesome. You should watch this years. Game 3 was magnificent 🙌🙌🙌🙌

JT! WHAT A LEGEND!!!! I was at his final ever NRL game. Legit the GOAT

Bro you need to watch the 2015 grand final highlights video. It's when he finally ticked the last box. It was painful for him one minute but then he conquered. His emotion shows it all. He deserved it more than any man ever. Overall he's a real good guy. He's a character also. Look up something like Thurston laughing. He is not normal in general but that's not a bad thing in anyway. I personally love this guy for everything he is. He started off where he was told he was too small to play. Then he went bullshit. I'll show you his whole career.,when he was injured his side couldn't beat the team coming last. He's the GOAT at this stage.

Regular Rugby league is good but the Three match State of Origin is the next level and never ceases to amaze. They're essentially the best of the best available from all the teams to come together to form the two state teams.

He's truly amazing we adore jt

Even though I go for NSW, the team QLD had in the Thurston era is probably the best team ever put together in any rugby code

State of Origin is rugby league at its finest.

I am an Englishman who was raised in Canada near Niagara Falls. I am an avid fan of the Buffalo Bills but moved to Australia in 1980 and thus am also an avid fan of Rugby League. When quoting the game you need to say either Rugby League or Rugby Union as they are two totally different games. It may not appear so to North Americans but trust me, they are different. Moving on, I was visiting friends in the USA several years back when I got invited to a training session for an American College Football team. I have always noted the lack of lateral passing in the American game, thus I spoke to the Offensive Coordinator and asked if I could teach a few of the younger players a Rugby League move. After an hour or so, there had a mock scrimmage. After what I explained to these young guys they had become reasonably efficient in using lateral passes. Then from the 20 yard line, passed it back and forth amountgst the QB, the running back, the wide receiver and tight end all the way for a touch day. It took only some 5 or 7 passes before the speedy wide receiver was in the clear. I have always wondered why isn't the lateral pass used more in American football. To me it would be hard for the very large lineman to counter? Anyway, food for thought!

You should do a video about Cameron Smith, who played over 400 games of Rugby League in the NRL (National Rugby League) and was playing until he was 37 years old. This is Rugby League, but there’s another code; Rugby Union and one of the best of all time is a New Zealand All Black player; Dan Carter. Another great All Black is Beauden Barrett. There are significant differences between League and Union, but it’s too hard to explain in short comments. And lastly, check out Ryan Papenhuysen, one of the fastest people in Australian Rugby League

He is one of the best , but also a great bloke. Funny as a sneaky fart , and his laugh ... lol. I'm a NSW fan , but always loved JT. Check out Steve Menzies, Brad Fittler , Greg Inglis .

I have seen Johnathan Thurston rally his team from a 30-0 deficit before half time, to rally his team, and nearly be in 2 places at once making all the critical tackles and get his team back to 30 all by the end of the match. So not only being a fantastic playmaker, his ability to kick critical conversions is beyond amazing, I don't think I have ever seen him miss a do or die conversion kick in my life, apparently with win or lose conversion kicks he manages to lower his heart rate, and always succeeded.

to score a try you just need to have downward pressure on the ball when its on the ground in the end zone

Another sport that Australia plays that is crazy is Australian rules football afl the sport is crazy has hits kicking and athletic runs

Check out Steve Ranouf. He was the original version of Greg Inglis. Played centre position. 184 carrier games with 142 trues. A true legend

For qld, first there was Wally Lewis (aka "the king"), then Allen Langer, then Darren Lockyer, then there was Johnathan Thurston (who I went to school with, good guy). That's from the 80's to now. Those guys were the best for the times they played.

There is no one better than the Queenslander State of origin team in those days. Billy Slater and Cameron Smith all are coaches for state of Orgin teams now

To answer your question about if new south wales ever wins, they do but QLD had an eight year winning streak due to us having three of the best players of all time (cameron smith, billy slater and johnathan thurston) recently not 1 team has dominated but these past 2 years QLD has won. Hope this helps

12:01 in that 16:16 game he played the whole match with a broken shoulder. And in another origin match snapped his leg mid way through

JT always gave his headgear to a different little kid at the end of every game He’s a legend!

Have you seen 25 years of state of origin it's an amazing documentary you will understand why it means so much to everyone

I hope you watched 2022 ORIGIN it was said to be the greatest ever. I agree Go Queensland! Love from an Aussie in QLD

That Queensland team were absolute freaks, you are correct the blues barely won, we have it now though won last year! First origin game of this year is tomorrow also!

State of origin is the best rugby you will ever see. Now you know why we love it :-)

Australian Indegenous. Greatest Player ever in Rugby League.

Great reaction

From NSW but love JT, in my view the best back to have played the game

He also won the 2015 gf against cowboys rival broncos and in all these years I've been alive for, I've never seen a more dramatic game then that grandfinal. I hope you watch it if you haven't done and react pls 🐮

Its the most imaculate rugby you've ever seen because its origin. The world best against eacother. Kinda like an nba all star match except its very serious

just had the first state of origin for 2022 wont give away the score, definitely a good game to watch. good referee'ing and very fast game.

as they say in Australia "bend it like Thurston"

Hi from New Zealand mate. First time ive come across your channel so ive Subbed, with Notis, of course. Given your interest shown and you stating that State of Origin is you, did you enjoy this series, ive always been a Maroon man myself and over the decades im well in front$$$ at the bookies. Id imagine you now know the difference tween Rugby and Rugby League, and both games are extremely physical, but League is the faster game cos of no prolonged scrums and Lineouts. A league scrum is truley a sight to behold, ha ha ha, esp when you read the rule book and it highlights how a scrum is to be played. :) Another great player who retired in the last few years, and is well worth a vid going by your suggestion for some names. Like Thurston, Billy Slater also played for the World Champs forever, Australian Rugby League Team, and State of Origin for Qld, and he was also a great defensive player as well as having twinkle toes, and horses to spare, more like a Cheetah, man he was great when he injected himself into a play by the Backline, as was Thurston. Alexander Volkanovski, the UFC Featherweight World Champion is from Sydney and is a fine League player himself, he used to play at hooker, thats in the middle of the front row of the scrum, and also does a lot of the donkey work in hitting the ball up (Holding the ball and running straight at them). I dunno if you are into UFC, im picking that you are but i will peruse your home page and find out./ If not a fan already, i suggest Volko as a subject for a vid. Theres a ton of vids out there featuring the Smiling Assassin, he even has a cooking show thats getting popular as hell, as Volko is too, arguably the GOAT Lb 4 Lb EVER. AKA Alexander 'The Great' Volkanovski. Be seeing ya cuzz, take care.

The goat is arguably Cameron Smith, but 4 of the top 5 players all played on QLD at the same time at one point (Cameron Smith, Darren Lockyer, Jonathan Thurston and Billy Slater). They also player with arguable #6 Cooper Cronk (Matthew Johns in top 5, if you're wondering).

Dude - check out these other Queensland legends: Billy slater, Greg Inglis and Darren Lockyer. That all played with Jonathan Thurston during the QLD Dynasty 2006-2013

NSW vs QLD is usually pretty close. It's called State of Origin. Except all the years Thurston played.. 🤣

If you love JT, try checking out Greg Inglis, GI. Another indigenous brother and legend.

Thing is, there's a whole herd of GOATs. Ask any fan...

The world cup of RL is played every roughly every four years. Aus has won 2017, 2013, 2000, 1995, 1985-92, 1977, 1975, 1970. The Australian team is mainly made up of Queenslanders and New South Welshmen so you are spot on when you say the state of origin games are like what a world-class RL match would be like.

When you said do NSW win, there was an 8 year period were QLD won 8 straight series while he was playing

He every game in the Queensland dynasty years. Most of the highlights are from that era. 11:02 he kicked that with a broken shoulder,

He's an icon of the sport and someone for young footballers to look up to. When he was younger he was very small and was told by many that he was too small and wouldn't make it. Good things come in small packages and with hard work and a never give up attitude I guess the critics were made to eat their humble pie and I'm sure J.T. is quietly saying to himself ' Too small hey and I won't make it'. Drop mic....

these clips you're seeing are from (about) 2006 - 2018. During this time Qld won every year except one. In this time Johnathan Thurston played every match except one MATCH. Several other players in the same Qld team also played most of those same games. But again JT is the best ever.

It is an absolute throbber

if there is clean downward pressure in the Try Zone (end Zone). If the on field referee is unsure they replay the footage in the "Bunker, where they analyze the footage to deem it its a "Try" or "No Try".

In regards to the “Does NSW ever win?” The answer is “Not for the majority of Thurston’s career.” They took 8 series’ in a row, and only lost like… 2 or 3 in his entire Origin career. To be entirely fair, the QLD of that era was composed of about 50% future immortals, absolute wizards of the game, and it’s a bit more even since they’ve retired.

He is the best ever

am glad you like the sport, the final step is to call it league or nrl not rugby

Little things, every kick. He picks up the cup for the support crew..

Universally, the player considered the absolute greatest of all time, is Jonah Lomu, played for the New Zealand All Backs. He's definitely a player to react to, there's a fair few vids to choose from, but the one to leave until last, is the video of his funeral service held at Eden Park.

Mal Meninga was great old school guy !!!

Rugby union is insane this is rugby league

State of origin is a 3 game series every year between nsw and qld. The meaning behind it is that you play for the state you played club level in. Jt for example played south sunnybank in Brisbane, qld. So he is a representative of qld in state of origin. Hands down the biggest rivalry in Australian sports. It's something to witness first hand. It's essentially 9 weeks of shit talking for a years worth of bragging rights. Qld took out the series for 8 consecutive years. These days it's a bit more competitive. Up the maroons!!!

Look at matt bowen highlights he was brilliant.

look up Billy Slater, Greg Inglis , Cameron Smith, Mal Muniga , Cooper Cronk , Darren Lockyer all GOAT players for QLD in ORIGIN series.

Sadly, NSW's win as well. 3 games a year about 3 weeks apart. The biggest part of our season. They are called Maroons 'QLD' and Blues 'NSW'

During Thurston's 12 year origin carrier, he only lost 2 series.

Great job. Look at the career of Peter Sterling (Parramatta Eels)

The Tom Brady of Rugby League is Wally Lewis and was passionately hated by the whole state of New South Wales, he is also the sports presenter on 9 Brisbane news, Jhonathan Thurston. definitely the 2nd best Queenslander to play the game.

Probably the best kicker of a ball both from a conversion and in game play making. Some of those passes are like soccer level accuracy. Also just an insane player at the rest of it as well. And yeah Qld win origin most years.

We are getting ready for the first State of Origin for 2023 on 31 May. Go Queensland 👊🏽 Wear your Queensland colours and shout loud & proud "QUEENSLANDER"

It's not rugby union It's rugby league. There is a difference.

Billy Slater, Greg Inglis and Cameron Smith they are all Maroons. JT played with all these guys

State of origin is extreme rivalry, and one of the biggest sporting events on the Australian calendar, where 3 matches are played and best of 3 take the series. New South Wales has a significantly higher population and NRL teams to choose from, But Queensland has more of a fighting spirit and Queensland generally wins 60% of the time. Statistically speaking NSW should have the edge but QLD did Have a dynasty where we won 8 series in a row, thats like flipping heads on a coin 8 times strait.

Thats just his origin highlights they only have 3 games ayear. The lad played that good for 10+ years for the cowboys hes a weapon

need to have control of the ball and downward pressure for a try to be awarded, doesn't matter if its a finger or two hands as long as there is obvious control and downward pressure.

This Queensland team won nine straight Soo in row watch from 2006 to 2014 ,,

Hope you watched the series this year mate 👌

The King of Townsville.

This is (Rugby) LEAGUE, what we refer to as LEAGUE as opposed to RUGBY (union) they are 2 different "codes" .

This my friend is the best of the best, the highest tier of rugby league you will ever see, state of origin stops the whole of Australia even the world cup doesn't answer to the level of state of origin

8 years of total dominance go QLD

Hell no. Jonah Lomu was the GOAT. The greatest to have ever laced up a pair of boots and dominate the game...period

Try watching a Greg Inglis highlight compilation. Or James Tedesco who is currently considered to be the best player in the NRL atm.

You NEED to watch the 2015 State Of Origin!!! The store will blow u away. As for State Of Origin, it happens once a year with 3 matches- if one team wins the first 2 the 3rd match will still be played as like an honorary thing or idk. ALSO! The 2015 NRL (Rugby league) Grand Final with him in it. The score was a mess the his kicks in this game...... ah It's to much to explain without anyone watching it! He does miss one but comes back better! Please watch both🙏

A few others you should react to are cameron smith, Billy slater and Greg inglis

Yeah Queensland had the origin for like a decade, I think, with the biggest dynasty of NRL history with the likes Billy Slater, Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk, Greg Inglis & Thurston himself until they lost it to Jarryd Hayne's NSW in 2014!

Either QLD or NSW could and probably would beet another countries national rugby team, Im an AFL guy but these are easily the 2 best teams in the world

If your hand is on the ball you are in control, much like if your keys are in the ignition you are in control of your car. The statistics between NSW and Queensland are pretty close though this video is about Jonathan Thurston so the highlights are on Queensland. Note: Greg Inglis came from NSW but started his League career in Queensland

I’m NSW through and through but I love JT what a legend player and a character. Have a look at Andrew Johns as NSW player to rival JT.

If you ever make it to Aus shores mate reach out we’ll get you to a top class game

State of origin for this game is called rugby league. Not to be confused with rugby union 2 totally different games

Johnathan Thurston couldn't get a start untill Darren Lockyer retired.