Petero Civoniceva has played more State of Origins and Tests than any other player in history yet he refuses to consider himself a walk up selection for Queensland in next month’s interstate series.
The ageless Fijian-born prop sent Queensland’s three wise men — selectors Des Morris, Gene Miles and Allan Smith — a timely reminder of his value with a powerful performance in tough conditions against the Gold Coast at Suncorp Stadium on Friday.
Queensland selectors, who’ve done a superb job with coach Mal Meninga since 2006 winning a record six straight series, would face a public backlash if they overlooked the 36 year-old veteran for the opening Origin game at Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium on May 23.
Australian selectors shunned him for last weekend’s Trans Tasman Test against New Zealand playing Paul Gallen in front-row with Canberra and Queensland prop Matt Shillington.
Civoniceva’s Brisbane and Queensland front-row teammate Ben Hannant and North Queensland’s James Tamou made up the Kangaroos interchange bench.
Maroons selectors will have to choose their Origin props from North Queensland’s Matt Scott, hoping to return from a foot injury next weekend, Hannant, who’s been in outstanding club form, Shillington, South Sydney giant Dave Taylor, who made his run on debut for Australia at Eden Park and Civoniceva.
Scott’s lack of match fitness could make the task a little easier for selectors.
“Everything is going well at the moment and that’s all I can do to make sure I’m at a level that warrants selection for Origin,” said Civoniceva after grinding out the tough yards at the back end of Brisbane’s 26-6 win over the Gold Coast.
“That’s the selector’s role, that’s their job and they’ll do that.”
Civoniceva agreed with his skipper Sam Thaiday and two-try man-of-the match Alex Glenn that Brisbane were building towards an explosive 80 minute performance.
“I don’t think anyone is under any illusions about the ground we still have to make up as a team for a complete 80 minute performance,” said Civoniceva after the win.
“At the moment we’re just doing enough to win.”
Thaiday expressed a similar view after Brisbane’s sixth win on the trot this season.
“We’re still struggling to play a full 80-minute game, we are only getting about 60 minutes at the moment,” he said.
“We are yet to reach perfection. That’s very hard to get but I’m sure if we keep working at it through this year and stay tight as a team week in week out I’m sure we can play a brilliant 80 minutes of football.”
