League: Lockyer may skip Anzac test

Darren Lockyer’s first child is due the week before the test against the Kiwis. Photo / Getty Images

BRISBANE - Mulling over his representative future may have been "agonising" for Darren Lockyer.

But he may have to solve a much tougher conundrum in order to extend his test career in May.

Lockyer, 33, revealed on Wednesday he may not play the May 7 test match against New Zealand in Melbourne due to the birth of his first child.

Lockyer and his wife Loren have been told May 12 is the official date.

But the Australian skipper knew it could be any time around then - throwing a potential spanner in the works if the veteran pivot wants to add to his tally of 50 tests.

The inspirational Broncos skipper dropped his guard on the subject at a fundraising luncheon in Brisbane on Wednesday when happily talking about the imminent birth.

"The baby is due on May 12 - the week before (the test)," Lockyer said.

"And I have got a (NRL) game against the Storm on May 9 so ..."

Lockyer then appeared to shift uneasily on his seat when inevitably asked if he would stay for the birth or play if it clashed with the test.

"I will cross that bridge when I get to it," Lockyer said.

Of course, Lockyer is no stranger to tough calls.

Lockyer tried to give an insight into the soul-searching that was involved before agreeing to continue his representative career.

"I probably made it more complex than I had to," he said.

"After round one at the Broncos, my mind was made up.

"Three weeks after that (Brisbane lost 25-6 to the Roosters) the Broncos weren't playing as well as we'd like - things can change quickly.

"I had to think twice. It was very agonising. The deadline (to make an early decision on his rep career) made it a headache in the end.

"There was a lot of people (I asked for advice).

"In the end, they said to worry about how I feel and that's what I ended up basing my decision on."

Lockyer is believed to have spoken to national team coach Tim Sheens, Queensland mentor Mal Meninga and a number of close friends.

He's now poised to skipper Queensland's bid for a fifth straight Origin series win over NSW this season.

If he plays all three Origins this year he will move to 33 games - one behind record holder Allan Langer and just ahead of fellow legends Meninga (32) and Wally Lewis (31).

And if Lockyer does miss the May test, he still has a chance to skipper his country at the end-of-year Four Nations tournament.

After tossing and turning over his representative future, Lockyer could at least find the funny side of it on Wednesday as another potential headache loomed.

Asked how he would go with the nappy changing ahead, Lockyer said: "That's why I decided to keep playing rep footy - to get out of it".

- AAP