League: Lockyer available for Kangaroos

Veteran captain Darren Lockyer says he only decided yesterday he would make himself available for Australia and Queensland for one final rugby league season in 2010.

The 33-year-old five eighth had been widely tipped to confirm his retirement, with his injury-hit Brisbane club dropping to last place on the NRL ladder.

But Lockyer told a press conference here today that he'd decided to put himself forward for tests and State of Origin again and this would definitely be his last season of representative football.

"Basically what it came down to was that I felt I would have far more regrets if I retired," said Lockyer.

The Brisbane skipper revealed he was all but resigned to quitting rep football to focus solely on his club team after the 25-6 loss to Sydney Roosters last Friday which left them last on the NRL ladder.

But he spoke to national team coach Tim Sheens, Queensland coach Mal Meninga and a number of close friends since and their advice helped change his mind.

The decision means Lockyer is available to lead Australia and play his 51st Test next month against New Zealand in Melbourne and also to captain his country in the Four Nations tournament late in the year.

And he's now poised to skipper Queensland's bid for a fifth straight State of Origin series win over NSW this season.

If he plays all three Origins matches this year he will move to 33 games, one behind halfback great Allan Langer who holds the record and just ahead of Mal Meninga (32) and Wally Lewis (31).

"We have had a great run in recent years and I'd love to be part of another series," said Lockyer.

"In the end I realised you are retired a long time.

"Even though I have played many times for my state and country I still believe I have something to offer."

Lockyer said he started thinking he may have to end his rep career when Brisbane were flogged 56-0 by Canberra last August as he felt Origin was taking too much of a toll on him and the club.

He told Brisbane coach Ivan Henjak of his decision to play on in rep football on Monday and promised he'd continue to give 100 per cent commitment to the young and struggling club team.

- AAP