Lockyer bows out at top with fairytale finale

Lockyer claimed a fairytale touchdown in the final minute to put the seal on a 30-8 victory over battling England in the series final.

The 34-year-old Brisbane and Queensland star, who was winning his 59th Kangaroos cap and playing the 471st game of his career, said: “I have had a great time and been fortunate to play at this level for a long time.

“You can’t go on for ever and I think now is as good a time as any for me.

“It is time for me to move on and allow the next crop to come through. For me personally, I am just thinking it is a good night. We have been together five weeks and it is nice to finish like that.

“Being a final of the Four Nations – that is where my thoughts were. After the game, it is just nice to go home on a 24-hour flight with a win under your belt.”

Lockyer was given a round of applause by journalists after the post-match press conference. The stand-off, who gathered a rebound off the post from his own kick to score, was allowed the chance to convert his own try but sliced horribly wide to much amusement.

He said of his try: “I missed the goal kick but I guess that was the footy gods shining then. It hit the post and just popped up for me. It was a nice way to finish.”

Australia dominated the first half but only led 8-6 at the interval after Ryan Hall’s penalty try cancelled out an early effort from Sam Thaiday.

The scores were locked at 8-8 with just over an hour gone but the Kangaroos broke away with quickfire tries from Jharal Yow Yeh, five-goal Jonathan Thurston and Greg Inglis.

Lockyer said: “Particularly just after half-time, it was a real end-to-end game.

“Defensively we just held on. That was the difference. Had we broken at that point they may have made it very tough for us.

“They were very good (on Saturday) and they can be confident about where they are heading.”

Australia coach Tim Sheens paid tribute to the efforts of his squad over the whole tournament.

Cameron Smith, tipped to step into Lockyer’s shoes as the next Australian leader, was delighted for his captain.

“It was just like fate, wasn’t it, the ball ricocheting off the post for him to score a try,” Smith said. “It was very fitting – it would have been nice if he’d kicked the goal as well. That was one of the worst kicks I’ve ever seen from him. Everyone knew what this occasion meant to him. I’m just so happy for him he gets to finish a winner.”