During the 2006 State of Origin series after being soundly beaten in Game 1, Mal Meninga called a meeting with his most experienced players Petereo Civonceiva, Steve Price and Darren Lockyer.
Those players were told in no uncertain terms if you don’t perform in this game it will be your last Origin game for the state. This was prior to the sentiment being shared by Phil Gould who wrote in the Sydney Morning Herald on the eve of the second game.
“It’s time for Queensland to ask Darren to step down from their State of Origin team. It’s always dangerous to criticise a champion and I’m not going to.
“I wouldn’t drop him, either, but I’d have a serious talk to him about his future and the future of the Queensland team.”
So, the series is level at 1-all heading into a decider in Melbourne with the pressure on Lockyer to perform. The rest is history. Brett Hodgson’s loose pass was intercepted by Lockyer who came out of nowhere in anticipation and scored for Queensland to go on to win the series.
The next eight, in fact.
Every playmaker in the NRL feels obliged to say the old cliché with the game on the line I want the ball in my hands. But in their heart of hearts not everyone wants it. Lockyer genuinely wanted the ball. Now this example is a bit of an anomaly as Queensland didn’t have the ball, but Lockyer was desperate enough to want it more than anyone else.
(Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
Unbeknownst to some but his crowning glory may have potentially become before that 2006 series. In 2003 the Australian Kangaroos played a three-Test series against Great Britain where Lockyer was named captain of that touring party.
Australia trailed in all three Tests. Australia however won all three Tests thanks largely to their captain. This was the first Test series where Lockyer went into the series as ‘the guy’.
Because prior to that he had the likes of Brad Fittler and Andrew Johns. Instead, this series he had with the greatest respect a less qualified halves pairing alongside him, those being Craig Gower and Brett Kimmorley. Lockyer still at fullback.
In the final test of the series Australia are down 12-6 with four minutes on the clock. Lockyer at first receiver on the fourth tackle swings down the shortside and puts a bullet on Michael ‘Stapples’ De Vere’s chest to score in the corner.
The scores are locked up.
In the 78th minute 12-all the score Lockyer on his on 40-meter line stands at first receiver gets a sloppy ball from acting half Danny Buderus however Lockyer scoops the ball up runs through the gap gets pulled down gets the offload away to the ‘utility with ability’ Craig Wing.
The play unfolds twenty meters downfield, the ball not dead. Lockyer doesn’t give up on the play, races downfield to receive an offload in contact from Kimmorley he then draws in three to pass to Luke Ricketson to score the decisive try.
Lockyer’s career is littered with these moments. The kick to the corner in the last play of the game to Denan Kemp against Parramatta in 2008. I could go on.
NSWelshman
Roar Rookie
:laughing: is it April 1?
Nat
Roar Guru
I am a massive Locky fan but “all time” is a huge statement. In the NRL era, yep I would put him above Smith because Locky would get you the win (ala clutch) where Smith would have his team in place to win from early on. All-time would have the be the King. His first BRL premiership at 19yo and the most influential player on the park that day. Qld Capt at 21yo, Aust Capt by 24yo (most likely should have been sooner if not for NSWRL politics) and lead them both through very dominant periods. Every other player has some deficiency, not Wally. He could pass long or short both ways, kick off both feet, tackle like a beast, fast, strong and smarter than everyone on the park inc the ref.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Ah Locky, why did you have to be a Bronco and a Queenslander? But I did get to cheer him on as a Kangaroo.
KenW
Roar Rookie
Arguing on the margins, because Lockyer was fantastic and you rightfully point out he was superb in that 2003 English tour. But you've got to look at the big picture when you make a claim like this, and there's a reason both Gould and Mal were suggesting his time may be close in 2006. He hadn't been pulling out those clutch plays in the big moments. He hadn't led his stacked club team to any recent premierships, his Origin team were looking down the barrel of 4 straight losses. Like many champions, he had ups and downs.
MUCK
Roar Rookie
I had the privilege of watching Locky in the 3rd Ashes in Huddersfield 2003 and in The Tri Nations final at Leeds in 2004. He was The Man but Wally was The King.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
I remember when Lockyer first mover to 5/8 Uncle Wayne had Tony Carroll defending beside him making sure forwards who thought they would run at an easy mark in Lockyer, also new there was a big chance Carroll would chime in under the ribs. If the Knights had not let Barnett go he could have done the same, making Ponga's transition easier
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Lockyer and Cameron Smith. Not saying he's the best, but I'd bet Cooper Cronk also has a high percentage of wins in big games. That origin series NSW won during the Qld run was when Cronk was out injured. And he won his last 3 grand finals.
Trebla
Roar Rookie
I agree. This is why, in my greatest team of the modern era, I would have Lockyer in at fullback. I cannot put him at 6 ahead of others like Fittler, Daley, Thurston etc but I can squeeze him in at 1 ahead of Billy Slater and Teddy. Slater probably has the crown as the best fullback, but I just cannot leave out Lockyer as he dominated in all facets, playmaking, running, kicking, and controlling the game. Of course when I see Tedesco and Turbo play blinders I think they just might be the best. But back to Lockyer, I must have him somewhere in my greatest team (since 1980, or when SOO began). And in big games he was supreme.
Boingo
Guest
Locky was super clutch, but it's hard to go past The King. When it comes to big games there wasn't any better. His record number of MOMs in Origin speaks for itself.
Rellum
Roar Guru
From who I have seen Wally and Cam Smith are the greatest big game players, Locky is below them, but the second half of his career was the real deal when it came to being THE guy.
Redcap
Roar Guru
Yeah, maybe he is - he was certainly infuriatingly good. But there'd be a few other candidates just from among those who've pulled on the Qld jumper over the years. Smith, Thurston, Langer, Lewis, Craig, Adam Mogg...
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Lockyer , man oh man could he pull out the rabbit. He would love the modern game with its rush defence. He liked nothing more than two players rushing to shut down his kick. I remember one game against the Cows when he kept sidestepping the rush and making line breaks and try asists. I yelled out ' just let him kick the FN thing.'. He was truly a freak.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
Probably the best clutch player I've seen. Extremely cool and clear headed under pressure. When you're down by 10 with 10 to go, this is the goto bloke. Jack Gibson would have loved him. The Joe Montanna of the NRL.
The Sports Lover
Roar Rookie
There is no doubt that Lockyer was an outstanding champion of the game. He had a long career, he was always fit and his vision and anticipation was superb. He should be a shoo in for Immortal status when the time comes. Also unusual about Lockyer's career was that it almost paralleled 2 other Immortals in waiting champions. Cameron Smith and Jonathon Thurston. This astonishing coincidence is largely why Qld was so dominant in the Origin series over this period. However, as we all know it is very difficult to confidently claim that XXXXX is the greatest big name player of ALL time. I think Johnny Raper, Bob Fulton, Brett Kenny and Wally Lewis also have legitimate claims on that honour. All I know for certain is that I was glad to be alive to see Lockyer's amazing on field feats from his first game to his last.