Brisbane prop Xavier Willison has been urged by Petero Civoniceva to step out of the shadows of Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan.
It's a challenge he is ready to embrace.
The 22-year-old will come off the bench for Brisbane against the Dolphins on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium in what will be his 34th NRL game. Only five of those have been as a starter.
Three-time Broncos premiership winner Civoniceva has been watching Willison's development closely and likes what he has seen, but said he needed to take the next step to support Haas and Carrigan.
"Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan lead the way for our forwards but they can't do it by themselves," Civoniceva told AAP.
"Xavier is capable. There is a time to be in the shadows of the big two up front, but now is the time to step out of those shadows.
"Xavier is a very impressive young fella and I'm a big fan.. I am really excited for what he can bring to the pack and there is an opportunity for him to really stamp himself in a Broncos jersey.
"He is playing a bit of a cameo role for us at the moment but he is seen by the club as a future forward leader."
Willison was superb in the round one win over Sydney Roosters where he covered 145m in 13 powerhouse runs in a 30-minute burst, while also making 18 tackles.
He will need to be ready to start and continue the standard of Haas and Carrigan when they get called up for State of Origin duty.
"I aspire to follow their footsteps. Hopefully I get more minutes and I can push to do what they do," Willison said
"When the time presents itself (to start) I will be ready
"It is the next step coming up. I want to get off the bench and hopefully start soon. I have got to keep pushing
"I just need to get the minutes under my belt and gain confidence."
Willison said he was aware of the legacy created by great title-winning front-rowers Civoniceva, Shane Webcke and Glenn Lazarus
"There is a wall in the gym of all the great props. We don't compare ourselves but the records they have set we always keep being reminded of," he said.
"We try and be like them and do what they did for the club. Glenn Lazarus stands out. He was strong in the gym and I like the gym a bit."
Civoniceva said he was looking forward to the next crop of young forwards setting the standard.
"It is important that Xavier, second-rower Brendan Piakura and (prop) Ben Te Kura, when he gets his chance, play well for the Broncos but 2025 has got to be the year when they stamp their authority," he said.
"Now is the opportune time to get a stranglehold on their role within the club and team.
"Pat and Payne have been tremendous but when the rep scene comes around the other forwards must step up."
Canberra Times
