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Speculation champion Queensland five-eighth Darren Lockyer could play his final Origin next week gathered momentum on Thursday with teammate Justin Hodges declaring the players wanted to send their skipper off a winner.
Lockyer – on the verge of signing his final career contract with the Broncos – has not made any public announcement about his representative future despite having led the Maroons to an historic fourth successive series victory.
However Hodges may have unwittingly let the cat out of the bag before training, hinting Lockyer’s 30th Origin in front of an adoring Suncorp Stadium sell-out crowd on Wednesday night may be his last.
“This might be his last one so we are going to try and send him out a winner,” said Hodges, giving the strongest pointer yet Lockyer may elect to hang up his representative boots to dedicate his final years to helping Brisbane win another premiership.
“I think he might just want to concentrate on the Broncos. It’s just one of those things that has to come to an end.”
Lockyer, 32, who has also played 45 Tests and more than 300 premiership games, has maintained he won’t make a decision on his representative future until he sees how his body pulls up next year.
But there’s a real possibility, given Queensland’s successes, he may be leaning towards following the paths of former Queensland captains Gorden Tallis and Shane Webcke, who stepped down from representative football to give Brisbane the best of their twilight years.
The decision would be made easier if Queensland can give Lockyer a memorable victory in his 30th Origin, completing a history-making fourth straight series win with Queensland’s first whitewash in 15 years.
Hodges, meanwhile, faces a defensive battle against exciting NSW speedster Michael Jennings who along with Parramatta’s Jarryd Hayne pose a serious threat to Queensland’s defence.
It’s probably a good thing Hodges didn’t see Jennings’ three-try comeback for Penrith before they lock horns again in Origin III.
Hodges, who made two massive in-goal blunders in his Origin debut in game two of the 2002 series, attempted to put Jennings under pressure before his debut in Melbourne last month, suggesting the 21 year-old would be a bundle of nerves in his first Origin.
Jennings didn’t get too many opportunities to shine in Melbourne and an injury suffered in that clash kept him out of Origin II in Sydney when Queensland clinched the series 24-14.
“I was only on for 25 minutes (on him),” laughed Hodges when asked how tough it was marking up on the Penrith flyer, whose speed and balance has been likened to former Queensland centre Steve Renouf.
“I’ve marked him before. He’s a tough player to mark.
“He’s very quick and strong, I’m going to have to get up in his face early and cut his time off.’
Meanwhile, Queensland utility Karmichael Hunt, who’ll play his 10th and last Origin before heading overseas to play rugby union next year, continued to dispel concerns over his fitness after another solo session on his injured right ankle.
“I’ll be playing for sure,” said Hunt after completing a field session with Maroons physio Scott Thornton.
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