One of Queensland's greatest forwards, Petero Civoniceva, has given his tick of approval to debutants Joe Ofahengaue and David Fifita and predicted a long career for the Brisbane powerhouses.
However, Civoniceva revealed it took a halftime rev-up for the pair to find their stride in Wednesday's 18-14 State of Origin I victory over NSW.
Fifita, 19, created history when he became the first player born in the 2000s to play Origin when he ran out with fellow rookie Ofahengaue at Suncorp Stadium.
Remarkably Fifita was playing Mal Meninga Cup under 18s footy at the same time last year.
Civoniceva said Fifita and 23-year-old Ofahengaue came of age in Origin I - but only after a not-so-subtle reminder of what was expected of them at the break.
With Queensland trailing 8-0 at halftime, Civoniceva helped deliver the call to arms as part of coach Kevin Walters' support staff.
"Before that second half we asked them to find something, to dig deep," Civoniceva told AAP.
"It's something that we spoke about all week - that mateship and fighting for each other.
"They found a way which was great. It was outstanding. Those two guys on debut were so impressive."
Ofahengaue finished with 93m and 15 tackles off the bench before suffering a leg injury, while Fifita racked up 84m and 10 tackles in a second-half cameo.
Civoniceva predicted a long future for the hard hitting pair - and he should know.
The former blockbusting Brisbane front-rower played 33 games for Queensland - a record for an Origin prop - before becoming the newest member of Walters' Maroons staff this year.
"We always knew they had the capabilities to play at this level but to see the way they did it it was fantastic," Civoniceva said.
"I hope it is the start of really good and long Origin careers."
