Tweet
Manly's Brent Kite has an early chance to bolster his case for State of Origin selection in Monday night's clash against Penrith counterpart Petero Civoniceva at Brookvale Oval.
The man of the match in Manly's 2008 grand final victory over Melbourne is in danger of having his ambitions of pulling on a NSW jumper this season undermined by his NRL side's slow start to the year.
The prop was snubbed for the entire 2008 Origin series after the Sea Eagles made a tardy opening to the season before charging to their seventh premiership.
Kite, 28, admitted that shutting down Queensland veteran Civoniceva was not an easy gig.
"You certainly do need to do well against him," Kite said.
"Petero is a great player and you will be doing well if you get over him."
The opening Origin match is on June 3 at Melbourne's Etihad Stadium with the Maroons chasing a fourth straight series triumph.
Having been touched up by Civoniceva's long-time partner in crime for Queensland in Steve Price last weekend, Kite's front row partner Jason King said the Manly big men had to be on their game.
Price peeled open the sleepy Sea Eagles defence and set up two tries in the Warriors' thrilling 26-24 victory last weekend.
"If he's anything like his Queensland teammate in Steve Price on the weekend (we have to be ready)," King said.
"He was throwing the ball around on the weekend and playing like a half-back."
Civoniceva, 33 next month, has also shown a greater tendency to off load this season - making one of the game's best props even more damaging.
Manly have been finding it tough at the top after the opening two rounds and face a Panthers unit just as desperate to post their first win of the season.
King said the hunger remained at the Sea Eagles to win back-to-back titles.
"We have set some big goals for this year and we have had the experience of winning a competition like the NRL," he said.
"You would be silly if you didn't want to do it again because it is the best feeling in the world."
He said the title holders had to expect opposition sides to show them more respect.
"You have teams lifting to play you every week and that is something that Melbourne have experienced over the past few years and it is something we are going to experience this year," King said.
"Like anything in life, you experience a bit of success and people are going to come after you."
The man of the match in Manly's 2008 grand final victory over Melbourne is in danger of having his ambitions of pulling on a NSW jumper this season undermined by his NRL side's slow start to the year.
The prop was snubbed for the entire 2008 Origin series after the Sea Eagles made a tardy opening to the season before charging to their seventh premiership.
Kite, 28, admitted that shutting down Queensland veteran Civoniceva was not an easy gig.
"You certainly do need to do well against him," Kite said.
"Petero is a great player and you will be doing well if you get over him."
The opening Origin match is on June 3 at Melbourne's Etihad Stadium with the Maroons chasing a fourth straight series triumph.
Having been touched up by Civoniceva's long-time partner in crime for Queensland in Steve Price last weekend, Kite's front row partner Jason King said the Manly big men had to be on their game.
Price peeled open the sleepy Sea Eagles defence and set up two tries in the Warriors' thrilling 26-24 victory last weekend.
"If he's anything like his Queensland teammate in Steve Price on the weekend (we have to be ready)," King said.
"He was throwing the ball around on the weekend and playing like a half-back."
Civoniceva, 33 next month, has also shown a greater tendency to off load this season - making one of the game's best props even more damaging.
Manly have been finding it tough at the top after the opening two rounds and face a Panthers unit just as desperate to post their first win of the season.
King said the hunger remained at the Sea Eagles to win back-to-back titles.
"We have set some big goals for this year and we have had the experience of winning a competition like the NRL," he said.
"You would be silly if you didn't want to do it again because it is the best feeling in the world."
He said the title holders had to expect opposition sides to show them more respect.
"You have teams lifting to play you every week and that is something that Melbourne have experienced over the past few years and it is something we are going to experience this year," King said.
"Like anything in life, you experience a bit of success and people are going to come after you."