Queensland great Petero Civoniceva has hailed recalled prop Thomas Flegler as a "firebrand" who will succeed again in the toughest arena after an incredible comeback to State of Origin.
The 26-year-old will play his first Origin match in 1071 days in Sydney on Wednesday night after recovering from nerve damage to his shoulder.
After almost two years out of the NRL, Flegler returned for the Dolphins in stellar fashion and has been a major factor in their surge into the top eight.
"I'm incredibly proud of him, to think where he has come from and those dark days of thinking his career could be over," Civoniceva told AAP.
"To see the fight he has shown and the work he has done to be back on the field, let alone the Origin arena, is a credit to him and a credit to the Dolphins' medical staff.
