I can go quietly says Civoniceva - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

I can go quietly says Civoniceva

Wayne Heming 04/07/2011 06:09:24 PM Comments (0)

Petero Civoniceva is not concerned if his last game for Queensland slips by without the fanfare that's engulfed skipper Darren Lockyer's emotional farewell.

The 35-year-old Fijian-born prop's future has been the topic of constant speculation with reports he could drop the news on his team-mates just prior to kick off, ala Wally Lewis in 1991.

However the respected Penrith skipper made it clear retirement was something he would not be rushing into.

"For me the fire in the belly is still there," he said before his 30th Origin game.

"Maybe at 30 I thought the fire may have been extinguished by now but I still feel I want to be a part of this and there's still no better feeling than being in an Origin camp."

He did however concede the finishing line was "approaching fast" and that Wednesday night's Origin could be his last if he kept playing and wasn't good enough to be selected for the 2012 series.

"It's crossed my mind and it's a risk I have to take, I'm aware of that," he said.

"Sometimes selectors have to build a team for the future so if I'm not there, I've been very lucky with the experiences I've had playing rep football.

"I've been very blessed by the opportunities rep football has given me.

"If it ends because I don't get selected, that's life, you just get on with it."

While the hype surrounding Lockyer's farewell has been inescapable, Civoniceva said the players weren't fearful of failing to deliver him a fairy tale send-off in front of his legion of supporter at Suncorp Stadium.

"There's no fear there, what happens, happens," he said.

"Our preparations and focus have been really good and that's what Locky has wanted right from the start of the series and if we do that we have a chance of getting the result we all want."

If Civoniceva joins Lockyer in retirement in 2012 he's not worried the Maroons could suffer a hangover from losing their two most capped players who between them have played 65 Origins.

"We've seen JT take on a lot more of a leadership role recently but obviously it's going to be a huge loss when Locky retires," he conceded.

"To have players of the calibre of JT and obviously Cameron Smith, those two guys are going to be the cornerstone and leaders of this Queensland team for years to come."

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