While Brisbane NRL coach Anthony Griffin is uncertain whether Australia’s most-capped forward Petero Civoniceva will be handed his 46th Test jumper later this month, he says Queensland selectors would be “crazy” not to pick him for another State of Origin campaign.
The giant Fijian-born prop has had a slower-than-expected start to the 2012 season following major off-season surgery and a suspension during the trials which delayed his NRL comeback with the Broncos.
But after producing his best game so far against St George Illawarra last weekend, the national selectors should only need to see him back that up against the Wests Tigers in Sydney on Friday night to pencil in his name for the April 20 clash against New Zealand at Auckland’s Eden Park.
“If Pet wants to play rep football, and as long as his form is good, which I think it is, he should be given that right,” said his club coach Anthony Griffin.
“He holds the record for the number of Tests for a forward, doesn’t he?
“To get to that level, he’s had to put in a lot of hard work and make a lot of sacrifices so I hope they pick him.”
Civoniceva might reassess his representative career if he is overlooked for the Test.
But Griffin said Civoniceva had Brisbane’s blessing to make his own decision on his future.
“He’s got a spring in his step and he’s enjoying being back at the Broncos,” Griffin said.
“They (Queensland selectors) would be crazy not to pick him.
“I’d be picking him. He’d be in my State of Origin side.”
Civoniceva has shown in the past the team always comes before individual honours.
If he didn’t believe he could do the job for country or state, he’d probably notify the selectors not to pick him.
He did just that in 2009 when he pulled out of the Four Nations final because he didn’t feel he was playing well enough to be in the Test side and was denying someone else a chance.
“That’s the sort of bloke he is. If he thinks his football is going to be compromised in any way, then that will have an influence on his decision,” said Australian captain Darren Lockyer at the time.
Friday night’s clash is like a mini-selection trial.
Brisbane have three players – fullback Josh Hoffman, Dragons-bound winger Gerard Beale and back-rower Alex Glenn – all vying for places in New Zealand’s Test side, while the Tigers have several players also fighting for Kiwi selection.
“It’s getting to that time of the year where players are getting into some rhythm now so it will be a real quality match on Friday night,” said Griffin.
“If anyone shines there, they’re going to give themselves a chance whether it be Test or Origin.”
