Thurston still keen to play

Injured Australian half-back Johnathan Thurston remains hopeful of playing in Friday night's Centenary Test against New Zealand after undergoing scans on his injured ankle.

The champion No.7 rolled his left ankle at training on Thursday and was immediately sent for x-rays as selectors called Melbourne half Cooper Cronk into the squad as cover.

A glum-looking Thurston appeared to be moving reasonably freely when he emerged from a medical centre on Sydney's north shore.

"I'll just go back to the hotel now and let the medical staff review the films (x-rays) and then we'll make a decision, but it feels good," he said.

"It feels okay to walk on at the moment. I just rolled over on it … it's alright."

Asked if he was in pain, Thurston replied: "Not at the moment."

The Australian camp was tight-lipped about Thurston's prospects of playing.

"A statement on Johnathan's fitness and any subsequent team changes will be made once team medical staff has assessed the scan results," the Kangaroos said in a statement.

Cronk flew into Sydney late on Thursday afternoon but it's unsure whether he will have a run with the side before the Test.

The Storm half-back filled in for Thurston in October's one-off Test against the Kiwis, playing a major role in Australia's record 58-0 win.

His selection ahead of in-form Gold Coast skipper Scott Prince has raised eyebrows, but Australian coach Ricky Stuart believes Cronk's inclusion will make for a smoother transition if Thurston is ruled out.

The Kiwis are preparing as if Cronk will play, with coach Stephen Kearney revealing his team had already started dissecting the Storm star's game on video.