Kangaroos captain Darren Lockyer gave Australian coach Tim Sheens reason to smile today surviving a gruelling hour-long fitness session with the Kangaroos' Train-on squad and Prime Minister's XIII at Redfern Oval.
<br><br>Lockyer, who missed the last four games of the NRL season with a rib injury which almost certainly cost the Broncos a finals berth for the first time since 1991, showed no obvious signs of discomfort as he went through his paces, leading many of the drills from Billy slater, Cameron Smith, Paul Gallen and Matt Scott.
<br><br>It was the first session for the train-on squad ahead of the Four Nations tournament between Australia, New Zealand, England and PNG to be played in Australia and New Zealand from October 23 to November 13.
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"The ribs are coming along pretty good," Lockyer said. "The last couple of weeks they have settled down. The team doesn’t get announced for a couple of weeks, so by then everything will be fine.
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"Running and that sort of stuff isn’t an issue; it's more the contact work, but the doctors and physios have assured me that the time unil the first game is played in the Four Nations, everything will be okay."
<br><br>Australian halfback Johnathan Thurston wasn't able to train with the team because of an ankle injury but was at Redfern today to help launch public voting for the 2011 Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars, which this year provided a spectacular and historic springboard to the NRL season.
<br><br>Thurston said he is desperate to play in the Four Nations tournament after a disppointing NRL season with the Cowboys, and was relieved that Sheens has promised to give him "every chance" to prove his fitness.
<br><br>"I really want to be there," Thurston said. "I love playing in the green and gold jersey ... it's a huge honour and a privilege.
<br><br> "I will be doing everything I can to get there. Tim Sheens has given me every chance to play and hasn't put a deadline on it so that has put my mind at ease.
<br><br>"The Four Nations has given me something to look forward to after a disappointing year ... but the team is bigger than the individual and if I feel I'm not right I will pull the pin."
<br><br>Thurston was also excited at the prospect of being involved with the Indigenous All Stars match again aftre being part of the inaugural match this year, including winning the Preston Campbell Medal.
<br><br>"It's certainly up there with representing your country and playing for your state," Thurston said.
<br><br>"It's a huge honour and to have been part of the first one and winning the Preston Campbell Medal is something I am proud of.
<br><br>"It's a huge occasion for my family and cousins. My mum is one of 13 so all my aunts and uncles really got behind it as well."
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