Penrith`s Civoniceva out for seven weeks

Queensland will be forced to unveil generation next when they push for an Origin
whitewash next month following revelations Petero Civoniceva will be sidelined for
seven weeks with a toe injury.
Civoniceva is expected to join fellow Maroons front-rower Ben Hannant watching
Origin III from the sideline after scans confirmed the Penrith skipper had torn the
tendon off the bone of his big toe during Queensland's history-making win over NSW
last Wednesday night.
Hannant is expected to miss 4-6 weeks with a knee injury picked up in the 24-14
victory, which gave Queensland an unprecedented four straight series wins.
Their unavailability means Maroons selectors will be able to give fans a glimpse
into the future as they prepare for the day Civoniceva and fellow veteran Steve
Price finally hang up the boots.
Canberra prop David Shillington would be favoured to snare one of the vacancies at
Suncorp Stadium, while previously out-of-favour Brisbane backrower David Taylor
could earn a call-up.
Civoniceva's injury is also a massive blow to Penrith's finals hopes with the
Panthers clinging to eighth spot on the NRL ladder.
NSW Origin star Luke Lewis is also not expected to return until just before the
finals due to a toe injury, leaving the Panthers pack looking a little light-on for
the run home.
"I would have liked to be able to play for the club and take my spot in the final
Origin game of the series but unfortunately that won't be the case," Civoniceva said
in a statement.
The 33-year-old complained that he could not accelerate when he was taken from the
field in the first half of Wednesday night's game.
Like several of his banged-up Maroons teammates, Civoniceva returned after the break
and it wasn't until he underwent scans that the full extent of the injury was
revealed.
He won't need surgery with the foot to be immobilised in a boot for four weeks
during which the tendon is expected to re-attach itself and heal, then follows three
weeks of rehabilitation.