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Michael Westlake

Civoniceva’s State of Origin swansong up to the man himself

Maroons mastercoach Mal Meninga says he will leave the decision on Petero Civoniceva’s State of Origin swansong up to the man himself.

Big Petero is back with the Broncos after four seasons with Penrith, and has indicated he will put up his hand for one final tour of Origin duty as the Maroons shoot for a magnificent seven series wins in a row in 2012.

A torn pectoral muscle denied Petero the chance to exit the Origin stage with Darren Lockyer last year, but he has returned to the Broncos in terrific shape and will again be the NRL’s front row benchmark this season.

However, Petero’s former front row partner for the Maroons and Broncos, Shane Webcke, has publicly urged his mate to give Origin away so he can concentrate on playing for the Broncos in what may be his last season in the NRL.

Mal says he will not be pressuring the game’s most-decorated prop – who has an incredible 45 Tests and 30 Origins for Queensland – into holding up the Maroons scrum in one more campaign.

“The decision on whether Petero plays or not will come down to Petero,” Mal said. “I haven’t spoke to him about his plans as yet, and there is no rush.

“We all know what a super player he is, and that presence and aura that his brings to a football team with his experience and leadership.

“Any team would love to have Petero taking the first hit up for them, especially in Origin.

“But we will be guided by how Petero feels he is travelling with the Broncos during the season.

“If he feels he would be best served playing only for the Broncos, or his ability to back up and play for Queensland and Brisbane over the course of an Origin series was not where it should be, we will certainly not be demanding he play. “He doesn’t have anything to prove to anyone.

“But if he feels like he has got one more campaign in him, and he is comfortable enough with his form being where he wants it to be, then we wouldn’t have any hesitation picking him.

“His age makes no difference to us. He turns 35 this year, but he doesn’t seem to have slowed down. Beside, Queensland has a fair record of picking 35-year-old props. Big Arthur Beetson was 35 the night he played in the first Origin game, and he did alright, Big Arthur.”

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