NRL: Berrigan out to spoil good mate's party

Shaun Berrigan. Photo / Getty Images

Darren Lockyer is a good mate, but Shaun Berrigan is out to spoil the party when the Brisbane skipper celebrates a major National Rugby League (NRL) milestone on Saturday night.

Lockyer, 34, will make a record-equalling 349th NRL appearance when he leads the Broncos out against the New Zealand Warriors in Brisbane.

He will join Terry Lamb and Steve Menzies as the only players to have reached that figure.

Berrigan, 32, was a teammate of Lockyer's during nine seasons at the Broncos, and the pair also played together for Queensland and the Kangaroos.

But they will be on opposites sides this time around, with Berrigan lining up for the Warriors at centre.

"Locky's a good mate and I've played a lot of footy with him,'' he said.

"It's a massive achievement for him, but I'll be looking to spoil the party, that's for sure.''

As Brisbane and the Warriors, sitting fourth and sixth respectively on the ladder, look to maintain momentum towards the playoffs, Berrigan has little doubt the atmosphere will be ramped up by Lockyer's achievement.

"The fans love Locky up there so I'm sure they'll come out for it,'' he said.

"Our boys will really enjoy it. It's a great stadium and the crowd will make for a real entertaining game.''

In March, Lockyer announced he would hang up his boots at the end of the year, after 17 seasons of first grade.

He then equalled former Kiwis skipper Ruben Wiki's record of 55 test appearances and set a new mark for State of Origin matches, reaching 36 as Queensland clinched a sixth successive series.

"He's definitely up there with the best,'' Berrigan said.

"I pretty much played all my first grade at Brisbane with him and so many times he got us out of tight situations. His longevity and durability is just outstanding.''

Berrigan left the Brisbane at the end of 2007 and spent three years with English Super League club Hull FC before joining the Warriors this season.

Despite his own length of service for the Broncos, which ran to 186 appearances and included two premiership titles, he will treat his return to his former home ground as "just another game''.

His focus is on helping the Warriors to extend a four-match winning streak.

"We've played teams in the last four weeks that are below us, games we pretty much had to win, should have won and did win, so this is a big of a test for us,'' he said.

"We're looking forward to seeing how we go against them.''

Berrigan marked a personal milestone of his own last month when he brought up 200 NRL matches, but his footballing future remains up in the air.

He had "no idea at this stage'' where he might be playing next year.

Remaining with the Warriors had been ruled out as an option and his wife was preparing to pack their home for a return across the Tasman.

"Two months ago they came to me and said they didn't need me, which is fine by me - I completely understand that,'' Berrigan said.

"The club has been great in giving me the opportunity this year and I'm grateful for that.''

- NZPA