Cronk's field goal no surprise to Petero

4 Jul 2012, 11:56 pm   -   Source: AAP

Petero Civoniceva goes out a winner and says that's the way it will stay with no chance of a rugby league return in 2013.

Queensland halfback Cooper Cronk's 40-metre field goal was no surprise to the man it sent out of State of Origin a winner - Petero Civoniceva.

Cronk covered himself with glory when he unexpectedly launched a long-range field goal attempt in the 75th minute which sailed sweetly between the posts and sent the 52,000-strong crowd into raptures.

"Last night (Tuesday) here at training, I think he hit three or four in a row from that same spot," said Civoniceva who, at 36, retires from representative football as Queensland's (33 Origins) and Australia's (45 Tests) most-capped forward in 108 years.

"I guess it was a good omen," he added with his trademark broad grin.

Like champion Queenslanders before him, Wally Lewis, Allan Langer and Darren Lockyer, the Fijian-born Civoniceva bowed out of State of Origin as champions should following a pulsating 21-20 victory to seal a seventh straight series win for the Maroons.

The game was in the balance at 20-20 until Cronk's magical kick left NSW wondering what they have to do to end their dynasty which started in 2006.

"We had to fight all the way for it," said Civoniceva who carved out 101 bruising metres in his swan song.

"I'm just so grateful for the effort from the boys - they were just tremendous tonight.

"We were up against a fantastic NSW team and we were under immense pressure tonight without Billy Slater and we found a way to win."

Civoniceva will remember his last series as one of the toughest he played in.

"The pride and the passion within this Queensland team, we had a few hurdles to get over during the week, we lost a few key men but found a way to win which is an indication of our spirit," he said.

All Civoniceva wanted when he was a kid growing up in Redcliffe was to wear a maroon jersey and play one game for Queensland.

He did much more than that, retiring in style in his 33rd and probably toughest Origin.

"I can't believe the run that I've had and it's been an honour to represent the people of Queensland and wear this jersey with pride," he said.

Asked if there was any chance he might change his mind and be part of a shot at eight straight, he laughed and said: "I'm going to be cheering loudly from the stands this time next year for sure."

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