Civoniceva, the cornerstone of so many Maroons victories

Queensland coach Mal Meninga said there was never any doubt that Petero Civoniceva would be named for a farewell State of Origin tour of duty with the Maroons.

Civoniceva, the cornerstone of so many Maroons victories, was once again named in Queensland’s No.10 jersey yesterday when Mal unveiled the squad to take on the Blues in Melbourne on May 23.

With retirement from the game looming at season’s end, and after a protracted decision-making process to decide his availability for representative duty, there had been speculation Petero was going to be overlooked for the Maroons this year in favour of younger forwards.

But if that was the case, then no one told Big Mal.

“Well, that’s rubbish,” he told fogs.com.au. “There was never any doubt in my mind that Petero was going to play for Queensland this year.

“As far as I was concerned, if Petero decided he wanted to play, then he would play.

“He took his time making up his mind, but that just gives you an idea of the selfless nature of the man.

“He had to reconcile in his own mind that he would be able to make a contribution to a Queensland victory, and that we needed him in the team.

“With Petero, the decision is always about the team, not himself. Once he decided he was ready to go, he was in the team. No questions asked.”

Mal’s Maroons have a familiar look about them, with the core of the squad remaining the same after six series wins in a row. The only notable changes came with Brent Tate returning to the wing to replace Jharal Yow Yeh, and the inclusion of Broncos utility Matt Gillett for his Origin debut off the bench.

“We thought the time was right with Matt to make his debut,” Mal said. “It is a luxury for us to be able to blood young players into such a settled and experienced side, and hopefully Matt will reap the benefits of that.

“It was obviously a tough decision for us, because we have a number of quality candidates who could have filled that role – not the least of them being Daly Cherry-Evans, who we have brought in as 18th man.

“But there are also guys like Corey Parker and Neville Costigan who have been tremendous servants for Queensland in the past, and will be again in the future.

“They have never let Queensland down, but in this instance, what Matt is able to bring to the balance of the team, and the chance to continue the renewal of the team with fresh faces, tipped the scales in his favour.”

QUEENSLAND TEAM FOR ORIGIN I, MAY 23

1. Billy Slater

2. Darius Boyd

3. Greg Inglis

4. Justin Hodges

5. Brent Tate

6. Johnathan Thurston

7. Cooper Cronk

8. Matt Scott

9. Cameron Smith (c)

10. Petero Civoniceva

11. Nate Myles