Petero Civoniceva has warned Dave Taylor time is running out to stop squandering his gifts if he’s to fulfil his potential to be a rugby league great.

Giant forward Taylor was recently stood down for two games by Gold Coast for breaching team rules, understood to have been alcohol-related and not the first time since he joined the Titans from South Sydney this year.

Taylor returns to the Gold Coast team against Newcastle this weekend with five rounds to convince Queensland State of Origin selectors he has learned his lesson.

“I’ve always been a big Dave Taylor fan,” Civoniceva, Australia’s most capped forward, told NRL.com on Wednesday.

“I was at the Broncos when he started catching the eye very early on.

“Everyone knew the first time they saw him that he was something special. We were all in awe that someone of his size was able to possess the ability and skill that he does.

“He was something to behold.”

Civoniceva noted Taylor was playing for his country 12 months ago.

“Last week, he was playing in the Queensland Cup,” he said.

“Everyone wants to see him reach his full potential but will there be a time when people are saying ‘gee, Dave Taylor could have been one of the game’s greats if only he had applied himself better’?

“If you don’t put the work in, you’re going to fall short at game time and unfortunately that has been Dave’s situation for quite a few years.

“These are all things that he can fix but it comes down to him making some choices in his life to get it done.

“We’ve seen plenty of examples of guys changing their ways to reach their potential.

“Let’s just hope that Dave can do the same.

“From here on, it is all up to him.”