Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens suspects champion five-eighth Darren Lockyer is not ready to walk away from representative football just yet.
Lockyer became the first man to reach 50-Test appearances for the Kangaroos in his side's 46-16 triumph over England in Sunday's Four Nations final.
He also holds the record for most Tests as Australian captain and needs a solitary four-pointer to surpass the legendary Ken Irvine's mark of 33 Test tries.
But while the 32-year-old, who has signed on for a further two seasons with Brisbane, has nothing left to prove at the highest level, Sheens admits he'll be shocked if Lockyer hangs up his representative boots in the coming months.
"I don't think he's looking at going back to England (with the Kangaroos) but I don't think he's particularly thinking about retiring next year - but that's not for me to say really," a cautious Sheens said at Sydney airport on Wednesday morning.
The veteran mentor added that he'd like to see the skipper continue his rep career but warned no one is irreplaceable.
"He's a true five-eighth and there's not many of them left," Sheens said.
"But everyone has to come to an end at some stage and the Australian Rugby League has replaced everyone at some stage."
"Not that that means we've replaced everyone with better players or whatever. The likes of (half-back of the century Andrew) Johns and company who have gone before them have all left a mark on the game, and Darren's certainly done that."
Kangaroos prop and former Broncos team-mate Petero Civoniceva is adamant Lockyer is still the best No.6 in the country, but insists his close friend has offered no hints on his immediate future.
"It'd be great (to see him play on) but it obviously comes down to a personal decision," Civoniceva said.
"He still hasn't lost that spark and he showed that in his performances whilst we've been away."
"I'm sure that he'll have a good think about it over Christmas and see how we go next season."
Meanwhile, Civoniceva, who made his 40th Test appearance on Sunday to replace rugby league immortal John Raper as the Kangaroos' most capped forward, says he'll continue to make himself available for both state and country.
"I'm still happy to keep doing my best and hopefully the football is up to a standard worthy of playing rep football then I'll keep putting my hand up," the proud Queenslander said.
"I still feel good, I'm still enjoying it so I'll make a decision next year."