Lockyer set to smash records

Lockyer: Set to break records

I've been fortunate to play for Australia for such a long time. My role as captain is to use my experience to try and help us win the tournament

Darren Lockyer
Quotes of the week

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Darren Lockyer played down the fact that he is on the verge of becoming one of the greatest Kangaroos of all time.

The 32-year-old skipper is set to claim the title of Australia's most-capped player from Mal Meninga when he leads the team in their opening Gillette Four Nations match against New Zealand at the Twickenham Stoop on Saturday.

The Brisbane Broncos captain, who made the switch from full-back to stand-off five years ago, will not only surpass Meninga with his 46th appearance but will also move within one Test of beating the achievement of Clive Churchill, who captained the Kangaroos 27 times in the 1940s and 1950s.

Lockyer, who could also snatch the all-time try-scoring record from the late Ken Irvine if he can add two more to his current Test tally of 32, remained typically modest about his record-breaking accomplishments.

"I don't take much notice of it," said Lockyer. "Obviously when I've finished playing footy, it will be something I'll be very proud of, something to look back on.

"I've been fortunate to play for Australia for such a long time. My role as captain is to use my experience to try and help us win the tournament.

"To be honest, I don't think we've anything to prove after the World Cup, at least no more than any other year really. Our objective is to try and win the Four Nations."

Speculation

Lockyer, who made his representative debut in the 1997 Super League Test series against Great Britain, has been at the centre of speculation over his international retirement, with the stand-off admitting that the upcoming tour to England could be his last.

"It's highly likely to be my last trip," said Lockyer. "It will be another two years before we get back here."

It is rumoured Down Under that Lockyer will confirm his retirement from all representative rugby on his return to Australia in order to devote his remaining career to the Broncos, where he holds the club appearance record.

Lockyer is set to sign a new two-year deal with the NRL team, which will disappoint clubs who were hoping he might finish his career in England.

The Kangeroos captain is tantalisingly refusing to rule out a move to the Super League before he retires, but admitted he has virtually agreed to re-sign with the Broncos.

"I'm very close," he added. "That will happen when I get back to Australia.

"I'll be 34 at end of that so, depending on whether I'm keen to keep going, I wouldn't rule it (a move to England) out, but for the next two years I'm definitely in Brisbane."