Civoniceva urges Horsburgh to “fight fire with fire” ahead of Origin debut
One of Queensland’s toughest ever forwards Petero Civoniceva believes 25-year-old rookie Corey Horsburgh is well prepared for anything that comes his way in his State of Origin debut against NSW in Sydney next week.
A warhorse of 33 Origins for Queensland, Civoniceva said Horsburgh was well equipped to handle any unsettling tactics NSW use to test him out, especially in the heated and chaotic opening minutes when emotions run at their highest.
He said Horsburgh would have learned a great deal from being in camp under Billy Slater and from advice he had received from former players, including Gorden Tallis, on how to balance and control the passion he plays with every game.
“Be tough, be aggressive, be a leader for Queensland,” was the advice Civoniceva offered Horsburgh as the kid from Caboolture on Brisbane’s north side where Civoniceva also grew up, prepared for the biggest game of his career.
“As a forward, you are expected to fight fire with fire and I know Corey is a young bloke who is not going to take a backward step, that’s for sure.
“If they look to try and test him, then those are the moments you live for.
“Corey plays with a lot of passion.
“But he is no good to anyone if he is sitting on the sidelines.”
Civoniceva was never sent to the sin bin in any of his 33 Origin games but played it as hard as any forward on the field.
Opposition forwards used to say running into the Fijian-born Civoniceva was like running at full pace into an Oak Tree or slab of concrete.
Horsburgh hero worshipped Civoniceva when he was playing junior rugby league and always wanted to play the same tough style and brand of football.
He has had some issues to overcome along the way after getting into some strife playing for the North Queensland Youth team before Canberra took a gamble on him and offered him an NRL lifeline.
“He’s been a resilient kid and he has learned some lessons and he is now starting the show the benefit of maturity and being a father,” said Civoniceva.
“Corey has to go out on Wednesday night and play hard, play tough like he does every week.
“He just has to do his job.”
