Maroons missing a forward to take charge in Origin following retirement of Petero Civoniceva

QUEENSLAND needs to find a new Petero Civoniceva. I really like the look of our forward pack, but we're lacking that real old experienced head.

QUEENSLAND needs to find a new Petero Civoniceva.

I really like the look of our forward pack, but we're just lacking that real old experienced head, the one person everyone turns to when the chips are down. Queensland has always had that one bloke who has been the leader of the pack.

I don't care if it's Sam Thaiday or Matt Scott or David Shillington or Nate Myles, but by the end of this Origin series I want to know who the new leader of the Queensland pack is.

Cameron Smith is the captain of the team and a great leader, but he doesn't do the hit-ups or act as the enforcer when it needs to be done. There is always an unwritten leader among the big boys.

It's an important job. It's not just about what you do on the field, but it's the example you set off the field too.

It all started with Arthur Beetson and the way he led the Maroons in the first State of Origin match in 1980.

Since then we're talking about some of the greats of our game who have been the ones to stand up and lead from the front - the one to set the standard that everyone else in the team must aspire to.

It's not about who is the oldest, who has the most experience or who is the biggest.

Everybody goes through patches of the game where they are tired and out on their feet, but this is the bloke that is always willing to put up his hand.

He takes that run from deep in our own half when others won't. He doesn't make mistakes. When there is a bloke that needs to be hit in a great tackle, he hits him.

He takes on his opposite number and doesn't let him get on top.

When I first came into Origin, it was guys like Trevor Gillmeister and Gary Larson who set the standard. They were the unsung heroes.

They would take care of the boys at training, talk to us about what was expected and show you exactly what needed to be done.

I'm not pointing the finger and saying it's Sam's job or it's time for Matt to step up. I'm just saying that someone has got to do it.

If Queensland are to win then it's going to come from the job done by our forwards.

Don't go kidding yourself to think that Origin is won anywhere else.

I know who is going to get written about the next day, I know who will get all the wraps, but I know where the game is really won and lost.

I love the team Mal and the selectors have picked.

Obviously we'd like to have Arthur Beetson still playing and Petero and Steve Price, three of our most successful props, but times have changed. Sam Thaiday and Nate Myles have proven they can play up front for their NRL, clubs and they're big guys who can mix it in the middle.

I like our bench and I think they all bring something different to the team.

I don't know what tactics Mal will use with his rotations, but I'm sure he has picked his starting team that way for a reason.

I'm interested to see how Ben Te'o and Matt Gillett go this year.

They had a taste of Origin last year and they now know what to expect.

You don't ever get used to playing Origin. You just learn to expect the unexpected and to push your body to limits that you never thought possible.

They won't be more comfortable, but they will feel more confident about what they can do this time around, and that can only help Queensland.

Mal is doing an amazing job as coach and they keep impressing me more and more. He took the boys out to Bundaberg yesterday and it's just another fantastic example of what a fine team this truly is.

And it's Mal's way of reminding the players: This is Queensland's team and don't forget who you're playing for and where you come from.