Test veteran Petero Civoniceva will have a better idea about his State of Origin future after banging heads with St George Illawarra’s NRL benchmark pack on Friday night.
A typically honest Civoniceva admitted on Tuesday that his form was short of Origin standard and he needed more game time after a slow start to the year for Brisbane following off-season surgery and then suspension from round one.
Australia’s and Queensland’s most-capped forward has not ruled himself out of another Origin season with the champion Queensland team.
But the 35-year-old accepts he has to get fitter and more match-hardened to be considered for his 31st Origin in Melbourne in May.
“The focus right now is trying to get into Brisbane’s 17 and getting some match fitness,” said Civoniceva when asked about Origin.
“I’ve still got some work to do (before reaching Origin standard) most definitely.
“That will only come through the more game time I get and from working as hard as possible.”
A strong game at Suncorp Stadium against a tough Dragons pack would boost his chances of again partnering Matt Scott up front against an NSW team which is sure to have in-form captain Paul Gallen setting a high standard for props.
After Brisbane got the better of South Sydney’s monster pack of Roy Asotasi, Dave Taylor and Sam Burgess last weekend, Civoniceva says the challenge this weekend will be to outplay a Dragons’ set which includes form props Michael Weyman and Trent Merrin and NSW Origin back-rower Ben Creagh.
“We’re really looking forward to going up against one of the benchmark teams in the competition,” said Civoniceva.
For the Broncos, Dale Copley’s experience has won him an NRL call-up ahead of another youngster Dane Gagai to replace injured Broncos winger Jharal Yow Yeh who is in hospital awaiting surgery on his badly broken leg.
The only other change announced by coach Anthony Griffin on Tuesday was classy back-rower Matt Gillett’s promotion to the starting pack following his match-turning performance off the bench against Souths in Perth last weekend.
Civoniceva said all the players felt bad for teammate Yow Yeh, unlikely to play again this season.
“As teammates and friends we’re all shattered for him and our thoughts are with him,” he said.
“But there’s a great culture at this club and we’ll all support him in his rehab and return to football.”
