BRISBANE chief executive Bruno Cullen worked late into last night trying to organise a meeting with Petero Civoniceva for today to discuss a plan that could salvage the representative prop's career with the Broncos.

The Herald understands the proposal could result in Civoniceva re-signing on a reduced fee for next year, with his wages to be increased considerably for the remainder of the contract when more cash becomes available next year. Another of Brisbane's rep stars, lock Tonie Carroll, is tipped to retire when his contract runs out at the end of next season, which would free up substantial funds under the salary cap.

Speaking shortly before the kick-off of last night's game against Wests Tigers, Cullen said he wanted to take one last shot at trying to work something out with Civoniceva.

"I didn't want to talk to Petero about it during the day, when he was getting himself ready for the game," Cullen said. "But I'll be looking to have a quiet word with him over a beer later tonight.

"He'll be going into camp with the Queensland team on Wednesday, so I'm going to see if he can come in tomorrow to see me and possibly Wayne [Bennett, the Brisbane coach] as well.

"I think it would be good to talk about the situation. I don't know if something can be worked out, but we wouldn't like to see Petero end up taking an offer he didn't really want to take or go somewhere he didn't really want to go."

Cullen said he regarded the chances of Civoniceva remaining at the Broncos beyond this year as 50-50, but battle lines are clearly being drawn between the club and Civoniceva's management team of David Phillips and Dennis Scott.

The Broncos originally offered Civoniceva a three-year deal worth $900,000, which was declined. "Petero's management presented us with a letter that requested $1.2 million for three years for his services," Cullen said. "I said, 'How flexible is that?' and they said, 'Not very.' They said that was the market value and that there was plenty of interest in him."

The fact Civoniceva has failed to sign with another club has led to speculation about the exact level of outside interest in him. Asked for his reaction to Cullen's comments last night, Phillips said: "Part of what he says about that meeting is accurate and part of it isn't. What we are going to do is set the record straight in due course, and we will be able to back it up with documentation.

"But in the meantime, we are working on Petero's future. That's our priority, and we are working through the options in the NRL and in England."

It is understood that since Brisbane signed Dragons prop Ashton Sims on the weekend, they would only be able to offer Civoniceva about $150,000 for next year. How much they could raise that by the following year would be the critical question.

Whether the Broncos would still be prepared to offer him a three-year deal, rather than two, is something that would have to be thrashed out as well.

Meanwhile, NSW selectors are expected to make just one change for State of Origin III when they name the squad today. Utility Greg Bird is set to be promoted from the bench to replace five-eighth Braith Anasta, who is unavailable because of a hand injury. Bird's Cronulla teammate, second-rower Paul Gallen, is set to be added to the bench.

Despite the fact the Blues have already lost the series, selectors have resisted mass changes. They were going to at least consider props Mark O'Meley (Bulldogs) and Jason Ryles (St George Illawarra), but, after the weekend round, O'Meley faces a one-match suspension and Ryles is out for a month with a knee injury.

O'Meley was yesterday charged with a grade-two careless high tackle. He would get a one-week ban with an early guilty plea. Cronulla forward Cameron Ciraldo faces two to three games out for a grade-four careless high tackle, while Canberra second-rower Glen Turner and Souths centre Shannon Hegarty can each avoid suspension by pleading guilty to grade-one careless high tackle charges.

The Queensland team will also be named today. Forwards Dallas Johnson and Jacob Lillyman are in doubt for the game at Suncorp Stadium a week tomorrow because of knee and eye-socket injuries respectively.