After 30 games for Queensland, prop Petero Civoniceva is qualified to comment on what is required for a player to pull on a State of Origin jumper.

And Origin’s most-capped forward, just six games short of Darren Lockyer’s individual record of 36 appearances, has no doubt Brisbane utility Matt Gillett is made of the right stuff.

The 2010 NRL rookie of the year has forced his way back into Brisbane’s starting pack to play St George Illawarra this weekend after a match-turning display off the bench against South Sydney in Perth.

With the first Origin game in Melbourne on May 23, Gillett’s injured Broncos teammate Corey Parker (thumb ligaments) will have little time to prove his fitness after resuming against Gold Coast or the Warriors in round eight or nine next month.

“Matt has been fantastic and he’s cemented that reputation in our team as a player who brings that x-factor,” said Civoniceva.

That was never more evident than last weekend when Gillett scored a telling try that ignited Brisbane’s comeback against Souths.

He has that special ability to open sides up.

Asked if he thought Gillett was far off pulling on a maroon jumper, Civoniceva said: “He’s not far off at all”.

“He’s such a dynamic player. For a big man, he’s got such great leg speed and he’s so explosive.

“He’s really highly skilled for a big man and I’ve been amazed how quick he is for a big man.

“We’ve seen examples of that in recent weeks when he’s come off the interchange bench and turned the game.”

Gillett, who was in the Origin mix last year, said he was “pretty happy” to be in coach Anthony Griffin’s run-on side and focused on staying there.

“That all starts with playing good footy for the Broncos,” he said on Tuesday.

“(Queensland) … is a pretty tough side to get into with what they’ve achieved in the last few years, that would be a big challenge.

“We’ll just see what happens I suppose.”

Gillett said Friday night’s clash with the Dragons posed another huge test for Brisbane.

“It will be a massive challenge for our forwards and our back-rowers because the Dragons always play well up here.

“It was a pretty special game last year with Locky (Darren Lockyer) finishing off like he did (with a field goal) and we’re expecting another torrid battle after the way they played last weekend.”

Comments made by Dragons five-eighth Jamie Soward on TV last weekend about how much the players really enjoy the trip to Suncorp Stadium have been noted by the Broncos.