Great news for Cowboys fans today…with influential halfback Johnathon Thurston proving loyalty comes before cash.

French Rugby Union suffering a double loss .. with Thurston rejecting an offer at a time when rumours persist that Mark Gasnier will return from France to the NRL.

Amy Hutchinson reports.

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TRANSCRIPT

North Queensland fans can breathe a sigh of relief.

Their captain Johnathan Thurston has signed up for another three years in Townsville.

The Broncos’ Corey Parker believes it’s a good sign for the game, which has faced heavy criticism in the past few weeks.

Corey Parker, Broncos Forward: “Good on him. Certainly a cult figure in our…in the modern game in terms of reputations and there’s obviously some things he weighed up. It’s sort of a positive for league and for league fans.”

The Broncos are intent on maintaining their new-found momentum in Friday night’s local derby against the Gold Coast Titans.

They’re prepared to fight hard against their neighbours who sit firmly in second place on the ladder.

Corey Parker, Broncos Forward: “We’ve got our own pride and our own sort of things we want to achieve on the night so we’ll be putting our foot forward to try and achieve those things.”

The Broncos are expecting a tough game, but a momentous one. Corey Parker will be making his 200th appearance this weekend at home.

The Queensland Reds also have a battle this weekend up against the struggling Highlanders.

Winger Digby Ioane hopes to celebrate his fiftieth Super 14 game with victory against the boys from Otago.

Digby Ioane, Queensland Reds Winger: “It’s exciting but at the same time it’s going to be a bonus to carve up a win.”

The Reds need a win and a four-try bonus point to make it into the top four.

Amy Hutchinson, QUT News