Thurston was named in the Australian Kangaroos test squad of 24 for the 2016 Four Nations tournament a week after the 2016 NRL Grand Final. Thurston played in the warmup match against New Zealand in Perth on 15 October in a 26–6 victory. In the Four Nations final in which Australia won 34–8 against New Zealand, Thurston played a central figure in the win, starting the game at five-eighth and kicking five goals. Thurston ended the series as the highest point scorer with 32 points from his three games.