| Darren Lockyer |
Article Index for Darren |
Website Links For Darren |
Information AboutDarren Lockyer |
|
BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS
CLUB FOOTBALL Lockyer made his first grade debut at fullback for the Brisbane Broncos in 1995 and played in their premiership winning teams of 1997 , 1998 and 2000 . With the retirement of Gorden Tallis, Lockyer has become the captain of both the Broncos and the Queensland team. In 2004, Broncos' coach Wayne Bennett moved Lockyer from fullback to five-eighth. This move has seen mixed results for Lockyer, initially it was described as a masterstroke and by the end of 2004 he was being earmarked by many as the world's best player. Recently however criticism has developed that the defensive workload required at five-eighth is too large for him and that he should move back to his old position of fullback. Inspite of this Lockyer is adamant that his fullback days are behind him. INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL Lockyer made his Test debut on 26 September 1997 when Australia (Superleague) played New Zealand at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland . Although he scored two tries, Australia went down 30-12. Also played in all three Tests against Great Britain National Rugby League Team that year. His first match for the Kangaroos was in 1998 , and was once more against the Kiwis. His performance that night is remembered as his worst in the Green and Gold jersey. Darren Lockyer was made captain of the Australian side in 2003 for the Kangaroo tour of Great Britain due to injury to then captain Andrew Johns and the international retirement of Bronco's teammate Gorden Tallis . Lockyer had a hand in each of Australia's three close wins. In 2004 he had a notably dominant performance in the Tri Nations final against Great Britain, having a hand in all 6 first half tries, on route to a 44-4 thumping. In 2005 he had little luck with injuries while on Tri-nations duty abroad, injuring himself and missing most of the British leg of the tour, including the Kangaroo's shock 24-0 loss to New Zealand in the Tri Nations final. SOURCES |
|
|