Petero Civoniceva believes there's still room for big bopper props in Origin FRONT rowers have become an endangered species but Origin's most-capped prop, Petero Civoniceva, believes a good big man still has a place in rugby league's toughest arena. As Queensland prepare to create their own history in Origin II next week and field just one recognised front rower - Test No.8 Matt Scott - it has led to fears props will soon be extinct in favour of versatile back rowers. But Civoniceva, who holds an Origin record 33 appearances as a forward, said the value of big men should not be underestimated if they adapt to an evolving game. "I wouldn't say it's the death of front rowers but in saying that I think there is more of a requirement from the front rowers than just being able to bash and barge the ball forward," Civoniceva said. There is still a place there for your front-rowers . . . it probably comes down to the game plan that the respective coaches might want to play. The requirement of the front rower is probably to play a more expansive game. That is nothing beyond the current front rowers we've got at the moment. We just have to see how the game develops over the next 10 years and if the speed of the game does influence the more use of your backrow-type player in the front row. At the moment I still think there is a need for your big men up front to cart the ball forward. Maroons coach Mal Meninga agrees that front rowers are a "dying breed," but said in his case he had simply selected a team to negate the refereeing of Game One which relaxed the ruck rules and had an excessive 10m in defence. Matt Scott is the only specialist prop being taken in to State of Origin II by Queensland. Picture: Head Adam "It's just the demands of Origin, how quick it is and how far we are going back," Meninga said. It has made us select the team we've got. If everything was normal maybe the big fellas could still be available. Scott, however, was feeling the heat as mobility became just as important as size and strength to the front row players. "I think it is getting harder, hopefully not too hard and I keep my spot," Scott said. But there is a movement in the game towards mobility and agile size. In a game as fast-paced as State of Origin, that can come in handy. In saying that, I think there is definitely a place for an old-school prop such as myself, but hopefully it's not a trend that continues too much. Size has still got some importance and it always will in rugby league. Maroons skipper Cameron Smith said the trend started when NSW boldly moved Paul Gallen into the front row in 2011 and Queensland followed suit this year with Sam Thaiday and Nate Myles given time in the middle. "There is less of them, but the game is getting faster and faster every year, in particular Origin," Smith said. NSW moved away from that traditional prop in the game a couple of years ago and we are starting to follow suit now.