Civoniceva missed the Broncos grand final victory in 2000 due to injury, as well as Australia's 2000 World Cup campaign. Having won the 2000 NRL Premiership, the Broncos travelled to England to play against 2000's Super League V Champions, St Helens R.F.C. for the 2001 World Club Challenge, with Civoniceva playing at prop forward in Brisbane's loss. His international and State of Origin debuts followed during that year. At the end of the 2001 NRL season, he went on the 2001 Kangaroo tour.