Several of Australia's triumphant Four Nations rugby 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 ending or extending his representative career.
However, a number of the champion Queenslander's teammates said after arriving home yesterday that they thought Lockyer could still excel 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.''
Greg Inglis said he hoped Lockyer would opt to continue playing for Australia 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,'' the Storm star said.
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.
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,'' Civoniceva said.
Meanwhile, Kangaroos and Manly forward Anthony Watmough was still coming to terms with Matt Orford's decision to quit his post as Sea Eagles captain and sign with English club Bradford.
''It was a bit of a shock,'' Watmough said. ''But in saying that Matty has got to look after himself.''
A Manly local junior, Watmough had no hesitation in registering his interest for the vacant skipper's spot.
Centre Jamie Lyon and prop Jason King, who are members of Manly's existing leadership group along with Watmough, have also registered interest in the position.
But Watmough wasn't prepared to lobby coach Des Hasler for the position.
''It's not one of those things you chase,'' Watmough said. ''You've got to earn it, so hopefully I've done enough.''
Watmough, who is off contract at the end of next year, said he wanted to resolve his future sooner rather than later.
''The tour sort of put things on the backburner a bit,'' Watmough said of his contract negotiations.
''I'll take a week or two off and then will probably start getting back into it.''
The second-rower said he would definitely like to remain at Manly but had a young family to consider.
Watmough dismissed the suggestion Manly would struggle without Orford and had plenty of faith in young contenders Kieran Foran and Trent Hodkinson.
''Kieran Foran has played for New Zealand this year and Trent Hodkinson was the player of the year in the Queensland Cup so they are two talented kids that can do anything,'' he said.
''They are as tough as nails, so anyone who thinks we are going in there with an underdone halfback is ... kidding themselves.''
Canberra's David Shillington did not return home with the Kangaroos squad and will be travelling until early next month. AAP
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