‘Best duo in the business’ have Civoniceva worried
ALARM bells are ringing at the Broncos over Cowboys five-eighth Johnathan Thurston’s magical combination with fullback Matt Bowen.
But retiring Brisbane inspiration Petero Civoniceva had two other names on his mind ahead of Saturday night’s NRL elimination final in Townsville.
Broncos veteran Justin Hodges admitted yesterday he had never seen Thurston and Bowen form a more deadly partnership ahead of the 2012 premiership hunt.
However, Civoniceva said he was more worried about a duo that he believed was the best in the business – Queensland teammate Matt Scott and his Tamou, fame.
‘‘He is a great front-rower, definitely the best in our game at the moment,’’ Civoniceva said of Cowboys co-captain Scott.
‘‘For us as a forward pack that is where the challenge is, being able to stop their momentum.
‘ ‘ You d o n ’ t g e t t wo b e t t e r exponents than Matty Scott and James Tamou.
‘‘I feel privileged that I had the opportunity to have played alongside him (Scott in Origin).
‘‘For myself and Ben Hannant that first 20 minutes is going to front-row partner James of NSW State of Origin be the key – we look forward to it.’’
After a surprised media pack absorbed the news that Civoniceva ranked Scott as the world’s No.1 prop, the big Broncos bruiser was quickly asked how he ranked Tamou.
‘‘He is pretty close behind Civoniceva laughed.
‘‘What he gives in terms of momentum and his versatility, he is going to be hard to contain.’’
Civoniceva warmed to the fact that another prop could dominate the headlines ahead of the suddendeath clash in Townsville after Brisbane booked a finals berth with a last round 19-12 win over Penrith.
him,’’
‘‘I guess I was sick of seeing myself in the papers and hearing about it – but the result for the team was the most important aspect of the night,’’ he said.
The underdog tag does not usually sit well with glamour club Brisbane – especially ahead of a game against little brother North Queensland in Townsville where they have won 14 of 18 games.
But Civoniceva was the first to dip his hat to their usually unheralded Queensland cousins.
‘‘You take your hat off the way the Cowboys have played. They have been tremendous all season,’’ he said.