Lockyer wants Folau out of Origin
Queensland team elder statesmen Darren Lockyer and Petero Civoniceva have supported a hard-line stance to ditch rugby league defector Israel Folau from Origin football.
While Maroons' skipper Lockyer and senior forward Civoniceva understood the AFL's multi-million dollar deal was too good for Folau to knock back, they supported the view he's turning his back on the code and so shouldn't be picked for the second Origin game at Suncorp Stadium on June 16.
"When it comes to playing for Queensland and Australia it's an honour and privilege," Lockyer said on Wednesday.
"When you decide to turn your back on that, I think the jersey is bigger than any one player."
Folau notified Queensland coach Mel Meninga on Monday before signing his four-year deal with the Greater Western Sydney AFL franchise, promising to give 100 per cent if still picked for Origin.
But Queensland Rugby League managing director Ross Livermore made it clear his board would be unlikely to endorse any side put up by selectors which had Folau's name in it.
Warhorse Civoniceva, who'll miss the second game with a hand injury, supported Folau's selection in the first Origin when he was still weighing up offers but agrees with Lockyer in regards to game two.
"I came out and said he should play before the first game because he hadn't made a decision," Civoniceva told AAP on Wednesday.
"I dearly would have loved it had he made his decision after the series.
"But he's come out now and it does change things.
"As a mate and a teammate and a bloke who's had so much influence on this team over the last few years when we've been successful, I'd love to see him there in that maroon jersey.
"I know he wouldn't let anyone down.
"But if he was selected, the talk wouldn't be about Origin, it would be about AFL and Izzy's move and it would take the spotlight off our game.
"It's an unfortunate situation. It (the AFL deal) is great for Izzy and I'm happy for him but we do have to do what's best for our game."
Queensland selector Gene Miles said if it was just down to him he would pick Folau for Origin II.
"If I was personally selecting the side for game two he would be in my team because I have got no doubt he'll be back playing in the NRL after that (AFL stint)," Miles said from North Queensland where he is attending a Former Origin Greats (FOGS) engagement.
"But that's probably out of the hands of the selectors now.
"The (QRL) managing director (Ross Livermore) would have to decide on that one."
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