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Injured Test forward Petero Civoniceva believes his long-time Australian skipper Darren Lockyer could sign off his career with “something special” in the upcoming Four Nations series.
Civoniceva was driving his kids to school on Friday when he should have been driving to the airport to join Lockyer and the Kangaroos on the flight to the UK.
Australia’s most capped forward with a record 45 Tests, the big Fijian-born prop has been a permanent fixture in Lockyer-led sides since 2001.
But a torn pectoral muscle suffered in his last game for Penrith means he will not share in Lockyer’s last hurrah.
“I really wanted to go on Locky’s last tour and the way he’s playing, he could finish his career the way every champion should,” Civoniceva told AAP.
Civoniceva didn’t need to call his Queensland and former Brisbane captain to wish him well.
They share a lifelong bond forged by their many club, Origin and Test experiences.
“I just wanted to give him his space after the season he’s had,” said Civoniceva, set to return to the Broncos next season after four years with the Panthers.
“I know it’s been a very emotional time for him and we’ll catch up at the Broncos early next year.”
One of the most respected players in the game, Civoniceva said he greatly admired how Lockyer handled the theatre and hype surrounding his farewell season.
“It was vintage Lockyer wasn’t it?,” he said.
“It says a lot about the guy to handle such a heavy load of expectation and all the emotion that goes with playing your last season.
“You could have understood if he had not a good year because of all the emotion.
“There were so many big games to get up for.
“It was amazing how he did that for the whole year whether it was for the Broncos, Origin for Queensland or playing for Australia in the Test match last weekend.
“He’s unbelievable, isn’t he?”
“I’m just so happy for him that he’s had the season he’s had with so many great highs.
“Hopefully that will continue in the UK.
“We might just see something very special from him in the UK.”
Civoniceva played down talk that at 35, his return home on a one-year deal for 2012 could trigger another season of emotional farewells for the Broncos.
“That thought hasn’t really crossed my mind,” he said.
“… I’m a pretty private person, I’ll be keeping my cards pretty close to my chest.”
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