Cooper Cronk has paid homage to Johnathan Thurston as he prepares to take on the retiring superstar for the final time in his NRL career.

Cronk and Thurston won seven State of Origin series together for Queensland as well as one World Cup but will part on different sides of the field when the Sydney Roosters face North Queensland.

“There’s probably 20,000 kids who play junior rugby league in Queensland and around the country on a Saturday morning that wants to be Johnathan Thurson,” Cronk said.