Inglis to go to next level: Thurston

Johnathan Thurston says Greg Inglis is set to take his game to the next level as South Sydney captain.

Two-time Golden Boot winner Thurston admitted he struggled when first named North Queensland skipper but believed Inglis was the type of player who would thrive under the extra responsibility.

Thurston on Sunday was all smiles when he greeted Inglis as the Indigenous All Stars squad assembled on the Gold Coast ahead of Friday night’s showcase event on the tourist strip.

“Yeah, it is (scary),” Thurston said with a chuckle when asked if Thurston could find another gear.

“(But) I think it (captaincy) will take his game to a new level.

“I don’t see it as a burden to him.

“They seem like a strong club with strong core players like Johnny Sutton, Issac Luke.

“And that’s why people go through the gates, to watch him play – it’s great for rugby league.”

Three-time Dally M Medallist Thurston conceded he did not enjoy an easy transition when he had the Cowboys captaincy thrust upon him in 2007 after Travis Norton’s retirement.

“Early on it was (a burden),” he said.

“As a 24-year-old I think I was the youngest captain in the NRL at the time.

“I can see how it can be a burden for some players and beneficial to others.”

There won’t be any dramas for Inglis, judging by his relaxed demeanour when asked about his latest honour upon his arrival on the tourist strip on Sunday.

It loomed as a potentially awkward rise for Inglis, taking over barely months after John Sutton had led South Sydney to their first title in 43 years.

But Inglis agreed his stellar game would only benefit from his latest honour.

“I think it will eventually (take me to a new level),” Inglis said.

“But I won’t change anything. It will be more leading by example.

“I am over the moon but I won’t change the way I play or think about a game.

“And I still have a lot of strong leaders around me.”

Inglis is itching for his first hit out of 2015 against the NRL All Stars after joining the likes of Adam Reynolds, George Burgess, Sutton and Glenn Stewart on the sidelines for Saturday night’s Charity Shield 12-all draw with the Dragons.

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