Thurston gets green light

Australian halfback Johnathan Thurston has passed a fitness test on his injured ankle and is likely to take his place in the team to play New Zealand in the Centenary Test on Friday night at the SCG.

Thurston rolled his left ankle at training on Thursday, but responded well to treatment and looks set to play after successfully getting through a rigorous fitness test by medical staff on Friday morning.

Barring any late complications Thurston will start for the Kangaroos, meaning Storm halfback Cooper Cronk will not be required.

Cronk flew into Sydney late on Thursday as cover for Thurston, but will return to Melbourne for the Storm's Round 10 clash against the Knights on Monday night.

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

The news on Thurston is a major boost for the Kangaroos, who lost captain Darren Lockyer to a knee injury earlier in the week.