League: Kangaroo colleagues call on Lockyer to stay in test side

SYDNEY- Several of Australia's triumphant Four Nations league stars have called for Kangaroos captain Darren Lockyer to extend his glittering international career beyond last weekend's success in England.

Veteran five-eighth Lockyer said after Australia's 46-16 win over England in the final at Elland Road he would not rush into any decision about possibility of ending or extending his representative career.

However, a number of the champion Queenslander's teammates felt their esteemed leader still had the goods to keep playing at international level.

"It would be great, but obviously it comes down to a personal decision," Petero Civoniceva said.

"He still hasn't lost that spark and he showed that in his performances whilst he was away.

"I'm sure he will have a good think about it over Christmas."

Greg Inglis said he hoped Lockyer would opt to continue playing for Ausstralia but felt it could depend on the veteran playmaker's physical condition.

"If the body holds up I'd love to see him running around again."

Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens felt no one was irreplaceable, but admitted Lockyer was one of the last of a dying breed.

"He's a true five-eighth, there's not many of them left, but everyone has to come to an end at some stage," Sheens said.

Brisbane teammate Sam Thaiday said although Lockyer was getting older and feeling the hits more, he still had plenty to offer.

"It depends on how your body feels. He's getting older and things take longer to heal and hits feel harder than they used to," he said.

"I'd love to play a few more years with him in those representative sides, just his presence helps any side. He's set some records now."

Both Lockyer and fellow Queensland stalwart Civoniceva established Australian appearance records during the successful tour.

Lockyer became the first player to notch 50 Tests for Australia, while Civoniceva logged his 40th cap, eclipsing the legendary Johnny Raper's national record of 39 Tests for a forward

Civoniceva, who missed a large chunk of the second half of Penrith's NRL campaign, didn't totally rule out shooting for his personal half century of caps.

"I don't know, I will wait and see. I still feel good, I'm still enjoying it so I will make a decision next year," he said.

Asked if Australia had reasserted itself at the top of league's global pecking order Sheens said: "The Kiwis might have something to say about that, they are the world champions and until we take that back, we can't technically say that."

However, the veteran coach was a little coy when asked whether he would reapply for his position.

"That's up to other people, it makes it a lot easier with a win," he said.

- AAP