DRAGONS captain Ben Hornby has made the shock decision to rule himself out of contention for the Blues halfback job by advising NSWRL officials he was retiring from representative football.
And Hornby is expected to be joined on the sidelines during the coming State of Origin series by Brisbane and Australian captain Darren Lockyer, who will make an announcement on his representative future on Tuesday.
Players who do not want to be considered for representative selection this season were required to apply in writing for an exemption by March 31, although Lockyer has been given until after this weekend's round of matches to make a decision.
ARL chief executive Geoff Carr yesterday confirmed that Hornby had officially asked to no longer be considered for representative selection and qualified for an exemption as he has played 10 seasons in the NRL and recently turned 30.
With the benefit of a full off-season training at halfback after spending the previous summer recovering from shoulder surgery, Hornby is in perhaps his best form since making the switch from fullback in 2008 and was under strong consideration by the NSW selectors for a fourth Blues cap. He also played a Test at halfback against Great Britain in 2006.
''We have received just one application, from Ben Hornby, and as Ben meets the criteria the NSWRL board has approved it,'' Carr said. Hornby's decision may have an impact on the Origin prospects of Dragons halves partner Jamie Soward, with Roosters pair Mitchell Pearce and Todd Carney, Canterbury's Brett Kimmorley and Newcastle's Jarrod Mullen believed to be the main contenders for the No.7 jersey.
Roosters captain Braith Anasta, Canberra's Terry Campese, Gold Coast's Greg Bird, Cronulla's Trent Barrett and Soward are the leading five-eighth options, but Knights and NSW captain Kurt Gidley will also be considered for a playmaking role if the selectors choose Parramatta superstar Jarryd Hayne at fullback.
Blues fans may get an early indication in the May 7 Test against New Zealand at Melbourne's new AAMI Park if Lockyer decides to bring down the curtain on an illustrious representative career in which he last year broke records for the most appearances for Australia as a player and as captain, as well as being the Kangaroos' greatest try-scorer.
Lockyer, who turned 33 last week, said yesterday he would make an announcement on Tuesday. While it is believed he would like to play on at Test and Origin level, the lack of depth and experience at the Broncos appear likely to persuade him to stand down following the club's successive defeats to the Raiders and Warriors. Brisbane play the Roosters at the Sydney Football Stadium tonight.
''I guess after round one things were looking a lot more brighter and positive but two weeks down the track circumstances have changed,'' Lockyer told Channel Seven yesterday. ''Tomorrow night's game is not going to be the be-all and end-all in terms of my decision but where the Broncos are at is obviously important and is in the forefront of my mind when it comes to making a decision. I have to weigh it all up. It is a big decision and things can change rather quickly. I could have made my mind up a month ago but things can change.''
