Morgan should be my successor - Thurston

Cowboys legend Johnathan Thurston says team mate, Michael Morgan should be his successor in the Maroons and Australian team.

2017 is the year JT calls time on his representative career, where he has played 36 games for Queensland and 37 games for the Kangaroos.

Thurston says Morgan is his pick as he has been on the bench and played the utility role for both Queensland and Australia.

The 2017 NRL competition starts at 9.05pm Thursday when defending champions, the Sharks take on the Broncos.