Granty
22-05-2006, 12:55 AM
http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/story/0,20797,19212303-5003409,00.html
'Old men' props on notice
Steve Ricketts
May 22, 2006
PETERO Civoniceva is conscious of the fact he must lead the way for the rookies in the Queensland side in Wednesday's State of Origin series opener in Sydney but he is also aware those same rookies have put him on notice to maintain his form or lose his spot.
Civoniceva, 30, and co-prop Steve Price, 32, are the old men of a Queensland pack which otherwise has an average age of 21.
The three specialist forwards on the interchange bench also have an average age of 21 while the NSW forwards have an average age of 26.
Warriors skipper Price made his debut for Queensland in 1998 and has played 17 matches.
Broncos stalwart Civoniceva has played 14 matches since he first donned a maroon jumper in 2001.
The pair has heard all week about how they must lead by example and they acknowledge their responsibilities. But Civoniceva also realises the veterans are often the first to get the axe if things don't work out.
"That's the thing about us as senior players," Civoniceva said. "These youngsters coming through are obviously the guys who will replace us in the next few years, so it's very important from a senior players' perspective that while we have to lead the way we also have to make sure we have the form on the board.
"Steve and I have been fortunate enough to be selected in the first game but there are another two to go. Obviously we want to play well in ourselves."
Civoniceva's roommate is North Queensland Cowboys youngster Matt Scott who came off the bench for the Cowboys in their 36-4 thrashing of the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium in round 1.
Scott played 36 minutes in that match but gained 133m while Civoniceva managed only 82m in his 42 minutes of action.
Shane Tronc, Luke O'Donnell and Mitchell Sargent were the other dominant players in the rucks for the Cowboys.
"This is the first time I've had a chance to meet Matt," Civoniceva said.
"He definitely has a massive future and I'm sure once us old fellas are out the door a bloke like Matty would be a great forward leader for Queensland.
"He's extremely tough and I think it's a great thing he's been compared to (former Test prop) Shane Webcke.
"If you're a front-rower you wouldn't want to be compared to anyone else in the game. His game has similarities to what Webby does."
Civoniceva said he had no doubt the Maroons' youthful backrow of Scott, David Stagg and Dallas Johnson could get the job done for Queensland and repay the faith shown in them by new coach Mal Meninga and the selectors.
"I know they're up for the challenge and they are all looking forward to it," he said.
"The workrate among the three of them is fantastic. I'm sure they're just looking forward to getting out there and doing what they do every week for their respective clubs."
'Old men' props on notice
Steve Ricketts
May 22, 2006
PETERO Civoniceva is conscious of the fact he must lead the way for the rookies in the Queensland side in Wednesday's State of Origin series opener in Sydney but he is also aware those same rookies have put him on notice to maintain his form or lose his spot.
Civoniceva, 30, and co-prop Steve Price, 32, are the old men of a Queensland pack which otherwise has an average age of 21.
The three specialist forwards on the interchange bench also have an average age of 21 while the NSW forwards have an average age of 26.
Warriors skipper Price made his debut for Queensland in 1998 and has played 17 matches.
Broncos stalwart Civoniceva has played 14 matches since he first donned a maroon jumper in 2001.
The pair has heard all week about how they must lead by example and they acknowledge their responsibilities. But Civoniceva also realises the veterans are often the first to get the axe if things don't work out.
"That's the thing about us as senior players," Civoniceva said. "These youngsters coming through are obviously the guys who will replace us in the next few years, so it's very important from a senior players' perspective that while we have to lead the way we also have to make sure we have the form on the board.
"Steve and I have been fortunate enough to be selected in the first game but there are another two to go. Obviously we want to play well in ourselves."
Civoniceva's roommate is North Queensland Cowboys youngster Matt Scott who came off the bench for the Cowboys in their 36-4 thrashing of the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium in round 1.
Scott played 36 minutes in that match but gained 133m while Civoniceva managed only 82m in his 42 minutes of action.
Shane Tronc, Luke O'Donnell and Mitchell Sargent were the other dominant players in the rucks for the Cowboys.
"This is the first time I've had a chance to meet Matt," Civoniceva said.
"He definitely has a massive future and I'm sure once us old fellas are out the door a bloke like Matty would be a great forward leader for Queensland.
"He's extremely tough and I think it's a great thing he's been compared to (former Test prop) Shane Webcke.
"If you're a front-rower you wouldn't want to be compared to anyone else in the game. His game has similarities to what Webby does."
Civoniceva said he had no doubt the Maroons' youthful backrow of Scott, David Stagg and Dallas Johnson could get the job done for Queensland and repay the faith shown in them by new coach Mal Meninga and the selectors.
"I know they're up for the challenge and they are all looking forward to it," he said.
"The workrate among the three of them is fantastic. I'm sure they're just looking forward to getting out there and doing what they do every week for their respective clubs."