By Wayne Heming

Former Ironman prop Petero Civoniceva says rookie NSW coach Michael Maguire has hand-picked a forward pack to “bash down Queensland’s front door” in Wednesday night’s State of Origin opener in Sydney.

“They’ve picked a pack who will want to come through the middle of Queensland,” Fog #120 told Fogs.com.au on the eve of the Origin series opener at Accor Stadium.

“They’ll keep coming and coming and coming. They won’t take a backward step but I’m confident Queensland coach Billy Slater has picked the players who will rise to the challenge.

The 33 Origin and 45-Test Australian veteran prop said the match had all the right pieces to make a high-class clash but he expected Queensland to jump to a crucial 1-0 up lead as they have done in four of the past five series.

“They (NSW) have handed several guys a huge opportunity on Wednesday night to have a crack at Origin,” Civoniceva said.

“They’ve recalled James Tedesco, who you can bet will have a lot of fire in his belly to prove to selectors they should not have dropped him in the first place.

“They are coming off another series loss last year, so they will have redemption firmly on their minds.”

Queensland, who could go into the game as favourites, have won the opening game in four of the past five series but offsetting that is the fact the Blues have won four of their last five Origins at Accor Stadium.

It makes for an intriguing clash with several big-name stars watching from the sidelines.

Civoniceva, who served Queensland in the number 10 Origin jumper between 2001 and 2012, never once taking a backward step, said he expected some shuddering Origin collisions, none bigger than when Blue’s prop Payne Haas, a man-mountain, comes in contact with Queensland hardman Lindsay Collins, one of the heroes of last year’s series win.

“Both players will want to lead the way and dominate the middle so it will be up to them to do their jobs,” said Civoniceva who only knew one way to run.

“Lindsay has shown he is a player with X-factor.

“He has done some things, like stealing the ball from Tedesco’s fingertips to set up a match-winning try in the corresponding game in Adelaide last year, that other front-rowers just couldn’t do.

“He’s a competitor who never gives up the fight.

“You can compare him to other front-rowers we’ve had in the past if you want, but he is Lindsay Collins.

“He has his own make-up.

“What he brings to that Maroons jersey is pretty special and unique.

“He has shown in the short time he has pulled on that jersey that he is capable of that game-changing effort.

Collins (106kg) and his lightweight front-row partner, Reuben Cotter (95kg) will concede their rivals Haas (119kg) and new Blues skipper Jake Trbojevic (107kg) 25kgs but Civoniceva dismissed that stat, saying Queensland have overcome size disadvantages many time in the past.

Cowboy Cotter, who will line up for Origin number five, is a finely-tuned tackling machine who gets through a mountain of defence but with his squatty frame and speed, can also make valuable metres with the ball.

“He has superior speed through the ruck for a front-rower and he’s stronger than he looks, tough and quite durable. He can play big minutes.

“Big bodies aren’t everything in the modern game.

“Reuben can be an absolute weapon when it comes to our forward pack.

“The value he brings to our forward pack is evident.”

“It’s the one percenters and effort plays that will be so crucial to Queensland in this game?

The Maroons are missing a few key players in Tom Flegler and Tom Gilbert, what do you make of their pack, the inclusion of J’maine Hopgood ?

You know better than anyone the platform for Origin wins in set up front so there is enormous responsibility on the front-row battle between two of the best props in the game in Payne Haas and Lindsay Collins, how do you see that exchange.

They are not firebrands but they only know one way to play, they both love to rip in?

With Yeo, Olakau’atu, Leniu, and Hudson Young they have a very strong bench and Billy has gambled on having only two big men on his bench, is that a risk or just a calculated approach after losing a back in so many recent Origin games?

Both sides have lost key members of their spines which are inexperienced at Origin it gives Cherry-Evans and edge working with someone as exciting as Reece Walsh.

The game is so fast now with the rule changes it’s hard to see fatigue not coming into play late in the game so tactics and the interchange will be vital?

I know who you are going to tip but where do you think Queensland will win the game?