Johnathan Thurston has been ruled out of Australia’s Four Nations campaign with a shoulder injury.

Thurston joins a long line of Kangaroos who will miss the six-week tournament, beginning in Brisbane on October 25.

The Cowboys confirmed on Wednesday that Thurston had withdraw from the Kangaroos squad to be named on Monday.

“It was a really difficult decision to have to make but in the end, the doctor really took it out of my hands when I saw him yesterday,” Thurston said in a statement.

“You never want to miss playing rep footy, and I’m very proud of my record in that area, but this time there’s no other option.

“I’d like to wish the Kangaroos all the best for the Four Nations.

“I’ll definitely be watching every match they play and cheering them on.”

Thurston joins incumbents Billy Slater (shoulder), Darius Boyd (depression), Brett Morris (shoulder), Matt Scott (shoulder), Nate Myles (biceps), Paul Gallen (drugs ban) and James Tamou (neck) as confirmed withdrawals.

Justin Hodges, Josh Dugan, Trent Merrin, Will Hopoate and Andrew Fifita are also unavailable.

The omissions will open the way for a number of rookies to make their Test debuts.

Australia begin their Four Nations campaign against New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium on October 25, in a double header opening which also includes the Samoa v England Test.

The final is in Wellington on November 15.

The Kiwis are not without their problems either. South Sydney rake Issac Luke will miss the opening game through suspension.

Luke missed the April Test with a shoulder injury and is eligible for New Zealand’s second Four Nations game against Samoa in Whangarei on November 1.