New forward leader Petero Civoniceva has warned Queensland to be dominant with its tackles to prevent NSW from "having a field day" around the rucks in Wednesday night's Origin opener in Brisbane.

The Blues have shown their hand picking a reserve bench based more on forward mobility than power and Civoniceva says they'll try to dictate the tempo of the game.

"It's going to be very important that we are (dominant in tackles) because if we're not, guys like Danny Buderus, Craig Wing and their halves are going to have a field day," said Civoniceva.

"We have to smart with our defence.

"It's important we work hard for one another, get numbers in tackles and put pressure on them, wear them down and break their momentum down."

Civoniceva will play his 12th Origin and his first without Shane Webcke and said Queensland would miss his bull-like charges.

Webcke fearlessly took Queensland forward in the toughest arena in 21 successive Origins between 1998 and 2004.

He hung up his representative boots this season to prolong his club career.

Only noted ironman Gary Larson played more consecutive games, 24 in total, than Webcke.

"It's going to be tough without the big fella," said Civoniceva.

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