Driven by the memory of selflessly giving up his Australian Test jumper, veteran prop Petero Civoniceva is back to his best and won't even rule out playing for Queensland beyond this year.

Civoniceva, who made his debut for Queensland way back in 2001, will line up for his 28th State of Origin rugby league match when the 2011 series begins at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday.

Only six months ago the 35-year-old virtually sacked himself from the Test team for the Four Nations final against New Zealand, saying his form wasn't good enough.

After that brutal self-assessment, Civoniceva has returned to form with NRL side Penrith, regained his spot in the Kangaroos line-up and remains a crucial part of Queensland's Origin dominance.

"It would have been hugely disappointing to finish my career on that note," Civoniceva said of last year's decision.

"I've probably used it as a bit of motivation to drive me through the start of the season to be here again.

"And I'll keep using it as motivation to get me through the rest of the season."

Civoniceva said he'd received "different opinions" from people close to him after stepping down from the Test team.

"For me it was the right decision," he said.

"When you're playing for your country, there's no higher honour. You need your best side out there on the night.

"I was below par in terms of the football that I'd played leading into the final and there were guys there who deserved to be there. I made the coach aware of that.

"It comes down to honesty. I think all coaches want is honesty within the playing group and that's all I was doing, playing my part in the team."

Civoniceva, who has played a record 45 Tests by a forward, is not prepared to declare this year's Origin series his last.

"I'd have to talk to (Queensland coach) Mal (Meninga) about it and look at my form but at the moment I feel great," he said.

"I don't know if it will be my last, I guess that's a question I'll address at the back end of the season.

Civoniceva said Queensland were "very wary" of the 17 players NSW had picked despite outcries over the absence of stars Jarryd Hayne and Jamal Idris and also his Penrith teammate Luke Lewis.

"They're all in great form and they're all players who are used to playing a very grinding style.

"Every year it gets tougher and tougher and I'm sure Ricky (Stuart) has got his players fired up.

"We know the style of coach that he is and he's very big on that and Wednesday night is going to be a real fight for us."

Queensland had an opposed session against the Broncos under-20 side on Sunday at their Gold Coast base but the players will have a day off on Monday to spend with their families before returning to Brisbane on Tuesday.

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