THE retention of Johnathan Thurston is more than just a coup for the Cowboys - it is a coup for the game of rugby league in Australia. Executive director Peter Parr's relief to get his man over the line was immense on Monday when Thurston put pen to paper in Sydney and committed to the club for another three seasons. The skipper never wanted to leave North Queensland, but the restrictions of the salary cap made it hard for him to ignore the overtures of cashed up overseas union club Biarritz. The Cowboys worked tirelessly to get a deal up off the ground that reflected his standing in the game but it still fell short of what was on offer overseas. In the end though, Thurston elected not to travel the same path as Sonny Bill Williams, Mark Gasnier and Craig Gower to union or mimic the more radical defection of former Bronco Karmichael Hunt to AFL. http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2010/05/12/137621_cowboys.html
