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No joke, Lockyer finished at fullback
By WAYNE HEMING in Brisbane
March 5, 2004
BRISBANE ace Darren Lockyer's days as Queensland and Australian fullback are over but it has nothing to do with his distasteful joke about the Bulldogs.
Queensland's chairman of selectors Gene Miles said yesterday Lockyer's representative future was now in the No. 6 jumper, a constant headache for selectors since Kevin Walters played the last of his 22 Origin games in 1999.
Lockyer last season's Golden Boot winner as the rugby league's No. 1 player will make his NRL debut at five-eighth for Brisbane against the Warriors on Sunday week after playing all his NRL career at fullback.
His 20 Tests for Australia, which include leading the Kangaroos to a recent Ashes cleansweep of Great Britain late last year, and his 16 Origins for Queensland have all been in the No. 1 jumper.
But Miles said there was little chance Queensland selectors would consider picking Lockyer at fullback again.
"We're hoping he'll make that [No. 6] his home," said Miles. "We'd like to think Darren will play five-eighth now at club and state level and for Australia."
Lockyer last night apologised for his poor taste remark about the Bulldogs' sex scandal (see Pages 4-5), but it certainly had teeth grinding at league headquarters. How it will affect his chances of being named Test captain remains to be seen.
Several readers rang The Daily Telegraph last night to complain about Lockyer's remark.
Since Walters hung up his boots at the end of the '99 series, Queensland have tried several players at five-eighth, including Julian O'Neill, Daniel Wagon, Paul Green, Shaun Berrigan and most recently Ben Ikin.
"We've even used Smithy [Darren Smith] there, even though he never had the No. 6 on his back," said Miles.
"It's been a real problem position over the past three or four years, since Kevvie left.
"But we'd like to think Darren is there for the long haul."
Miles said the fullback pool was overflowing which made it easier to find a new No. 1 for Queensland.
"We copped a fair bit of criticism last year for not using Rhys Wesser, but the gate is wide open for him or Clinton Schifcofske," said Miles.
Melbourne's Billy Slater, also touted for Origin selection last year, and impressive Warriors fullback Brent Webb are other exciting options.
"We've obviously got a bit of wealth in the No. 1 jumper at the moment," said Miles.
The Daily Telegraph
By WAYNE HEMING in Brisbane
March 5, 2004
BRISBANE ace Darren Lockyer's days as Queensland and Australian fullback are over but it has nothing to do with his distasteful joke about the Bulldogs.
Queensland's chairman of selectors Gene Miles said yesterday Lockyer's representative future was now in the No. 6 jumper, a constant headache for selectors since Kevin Walters played the last of his 22 Origin games in 1999.
Lockyer last season's Golden Boot winner as the rugby league's No. 1 player will make his NRL debut at five-eighth for Brisbane against the Warriors on Sunday week after playing all his NRL career at fullback.
His 20 Tests for Australia, which include leading the Kangaroos to a recent Ashes cleansweep of Great Britain late last year, and his 16 Origins for Queensland have all been in the No. 1 jumper.
But Miles said there was little chance Queensland selectors would consider picking Lockyer at fullback again.
"We're hoping he'll make that [No. 6] his home," said Miles. "We'd like to think Darren will play five-eighth now at club and state level and for Australia."
Lockyer last night apologised for his poor taste remark about the Bulldogs' sex scandal (see Pages 4-5), but it certainly had teeth grinding at league headquarters. How it will affect his chances of being named Test captain remains to be seen.
Several readers rang The Daily Telegraph last night to complain about Lockyer's remark.
Since Walters hung up his boots at the end of the '99 series, Queensland have tried several players at five-eighth, including Julian O'Neill, Daniel Wagon, Paul Green, Shaun Berrigan and most recently Ben Ikin.
"We've even used Smithy [Darren Smith] there, even though he never had the No. 6 on his back," said Miles.
"It's been a real problem position over the past three or four years, since Kevvie left.
"But we'd like to think Darren is there for the long haul."
Miles said the fullback pool was overflowing which made it easier to find a new No. 1 for Queensland.
"We copped a fair bit of criticism last year for not using Rhys Wesser, but the gate is wide open for him or Clinton Schifcofske," said Miles.
Melbourne's Billy Slater, also touted for Origin selection last year, and impressive Warriors fullback Brent Webb are other exciting options.
"We've obviously got a bit of wealth in the No. 1 jumper at the moment," said Miles.
The Daily Telegraph
