Petero Civoniceva not surprised by Penrith prop Tim Grant's rise to NSW State of Origin side

HAVING spent four seasons with NSW Origin bolter Tim Grant at Penrith, Petero Civoniceva always knew the prop was destined for higher honours.

HAVING spent four seasons with NSW Origin bolter Tim Grant at Penrith, Maroons veteran Petero Civoniceva says he always knew the much younger prop was destined for higher honours.

So enamoured was he with Grant's work ethic and talent during his days at the Panthers, Civoniceva labelled him a future captain of the club.

The 24-year-old Grant has played 80 games for the Panthers after debuting in 2007.

Civoniceva played a vital role in Grant's prop education but there will be no love lost when they square off in the opening minutes of Origin II, after NSW coach Ricky Stuart surprisingly named Grant to start.

"I'm really happy for Tim," Civoniceva said.

"Friendships are out the window come Origin time though.

"The thing I always remember about Tim is the extras he would do after training. He wasn't one of the young blokes who took things for granted.

"I always said to him he was destined for State of Origin. He was someone I could see being Penrith captain in the future."

Meanwhile, having once considered quitting the game, Maroons winger Brent Tate has no plans of pulling the plug on State of Origin after his stunning renaissance in Game One.

The Maroons tomorrow name their side for the return bout at Sydney's ANZ Stadium and Tate will retain his place on the right flank after clinching the players' player award in Queensland's 18-10 series-opening victory.

At 32, and having last played for Queensland in 2008, Tate's Origin days appeared to be numbered, especially given Broncos winger Jharal Yow Yeh's outstanding maiden campaign last season.

But with Yow Yeh sidelined until next season with a broken ankle, Tate can finish this series as Queensland's incumbent winger and says his age won't force him into announcing his representative retirement.

"As long as I'm playing footy, that want to play Origin and Test football never leaves you," said the Cowboys stalwart, who considered quitting after his third knee reconstruction in 2010.

"I've never been a player who just thought I would be a walk-up start in the Queensland team. I've had to work for it, so now that I'm back here I don't want to give it up.

"I must admit, after my knee, it went through my head about not just quitting rep footy but chucking it in altogether.

"I love football and I saw it as a challenge to make it back. As long as I'm playing, the fire will always burn to play for my state. It's been a long road.

"It makes me appreciate rep football more now."