Darren Lockyer is typically bashful over the prospect of becoming one of the greatest Kangaroos of all time.

The 32-year-old Brisbane Broncos stand-off will break Mal Meninga's record as Australia's most-capped player when he leads them out in their opening Gillette Four Nations series clash with New Zealand at the Twickenham Stoop on Saturday night.

Lockyer's 46th appearance will not only take him past Meninga but move him to within one Test of equalling the feat of another legend, Clive Churchill, who captained the Kangaroos 27 times in the 1940s and 1950s.

Lockyer, who effortlessly made the switch five years ago from full-back to stand-off, is also on target to claim the late Ken Irvine's all-time try-scoring record if he can add two more to his current Test tally of 32.

Yet immortality is the last thing on his mind as he sets his sights on restoring Australia's pride following their shock World Cup final defeat by the Kiwis.

"I don't take much notice of it," he says of his record-breaking opportunities.

"Obviously when I've finished playing footy, it will be something I'll be very proud of, something to look back on.

"I've been fortunate to play for Australia for such a long time. My role as captain is to use my experience to try and help us win the tournament.

"To be honest, I don't think we've anything to prove after the World Cup, at least no more than any other year really. Our objective is to try and win the Four Nations."

Lockyer, who made his international debut in the 1997 Super League Test series against Great Britain, may not acknowledge it but re-writing those Test records after recently steering Queensland to an unprecedented fourth straight Origin series triumph would provide a fitting finale to his representative career.

He insists no decision has yet been made but Lockyer admits this will almost certainly be his last tour to England.

"It's highly likely to be my last trip," he says.

"It will be another two years before we get back here."

The word Down Under is that Lockyer will announce his decision to retire from all representative football on his return to Australia in order to devote all his remaining efforts to his beloved Broncos, where he has won four premierships and holds the club appearance record.

Lockyer is out of contract with Brisbane but has virtually agreed a new two-year deal which will disappoint the host of Super League clubs clamouring to secure his prized signature.

The Kangaroos captain, tantalisingly, is still refusing to rule out the prospect of finishing his career in England but confirmed he is poised to re-sign with the Broncos.

"I'm very close," he says. "That will happen when I get back to Australia.

"I'll be 34 at end of that so, depending on whether I'm keen to keep going, I wouldn't rule it (a move to England) out but for the next two years I'm definitely in Brisbane."

A model professional and wonderful ambassador for both his country and his sport, Lockyer has stood out like a shining beacon in the middle of a whole catalogue of unsavoury incidents that have damaged the reputation of rugby league in Australia over the last two years.

Despite his high profile, Lockyer prefers to do his talking on the field and, although age and injuries have taken the edge off his pace, he will demonstrate over the next month that he still has what it takes to play at the highest level as he enters the history books as one of the game's all-time greats.