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Michael Westlake

Should Petero Civoniceva play on with Queensland in 2012?

IT is the million-dollar question – should Petero Civoniceva play on with Queensland in 2012?

The man himself remains undecided, but the veteran enforcer has been given the green light by Broncos hierarchy to spearhead Queensland’s quest for a seventh consecutive series victory this season.

Back at the Broncos after a four-year stint at Penrith, Civoniceva will officially launch his Brisbane comeback in round two against the Cowboys after missing the season opener due to suspension.

Brisbane, Queensland and Test great Shane Webcke last month urged his former engine-room partner to consider walking away from representative football this season to focus his energies on the Broncos.

Civoniceva, who turns 36 in April, has yet to commit to another Origin campaign, but Broncos coach Anthony Griffin hopes the rugged bookend dons the Maroons jumper in 2012.

“That (playing Origin) is his choice and when Petero first came here I had that conversation with him,” Griffin said.

“He’s earned the right, as Locky (Darren Lockyer) did last year, to decide when he stops playing.

“He’s been a professional footballer at the highest level for over 12 years and as a club, we hope Petero plays as many games for us but if he chooses to play Origin this year and that’s what he wants to do, I’m more than happy with that.”

Maroons coach Mal Meninga says the decision on whether Petero plays one more campaign will be left to the man himself, but you could understand Mal being keen on one last hurrah from Civoniceva.

No modern-day forward can match the Maroons warhorse’s big-game experience, with Civoniceva having played 45 Tests and 30 Origin matches – a remarkable 75 representative fixtures since his debut for Queensland and Australia in 2001.

Civoniceva admits he is torn. Torn between his personal passion for Origin, the strain it puts on his ageing frame and the posse of emerging Maroons forwards ready to shoulder more responsibility without him.

“I just want to see how the body holds up, whether the fire in the belly is still there,” said Civoniceva, the only forward in Origin’s 31-year history to play 30 matches.

“At the moment I’m feeling good, but I want to see how I start at the Broncos before I make a call, a bit like Locky last season.

“In the selectors’ minds, they want to pick the best team and sometimes you have to select the team for the future.

“All I can control is if I’m playing the best football possible and if I do that, I will come onto the selectors’ radar.

“At 30, I thought it (Origin) would have been extinguished by now, but there is no better feeling than being in Origin camp.”

Maroons chairman of selectors Des Morris says the panel is not pushing Civoniceva out the door and urged the front-row stalwart not to rush any retirement plan.

“We’re not putting pressure on Petero,” Morris said.

“We’re not going to say we want you to play or we don’t want you to play.

“Petero is an astute man, he’ll make the decision when it is needed.

“None of this (whether Civoniceva plays on next season) is life or death for us, Petero just needs to take his time and make the right decision at the right time.”

Broncos, Queensland and Test forward Corey Parker urged Civoniceva to lead the Maroons into battle this season.

“At the end of the day Petero has the last say on what he does with Origin,” he said.

“Knowing Petero, he’ll do what’s best for himself, his family and the team. “I’ve got no qualms at all about it, Petero wouldn’t make a selfish decision.”

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