Australia captain Darren Lockyer ended his glittering career with a try as the Kangaroos regained the Four Nations title with a 30-8 victory over England in the final in Leeds on Saturday.
Lockyer, the 34-year-old standoff, pounced in the dying seconds after his own grubber kick came back off the posts and the Brisbane Broncos man touched down for the final try of the game at Elland Road.
Earlier tries from Sam Thaiday, Jharal Yow Yeh, Johnathan Thurston and Greg Inglis ensured Australia won convincingly, although England were in with a chance at 8-8 early in the second half.
The hosts answered Thaiday’s early score with a penalty try through Ryan Hall, who was hit high by scrumhalf Thurston just before he crossed the line in the 36th minute.
Thurston and Sinfield then exchanged penalties, before England tired and the Kangaroos pulled away.
Lockyer was given the chance to convert his try, but with the last touch of the game he miskicked and the ball squirted well wide of the posts.
It was an odd sight and Lockyer sported a rueful grin, but the moment will be forgotten against his exploits in the game.
The Queenslander is the most capped player in rugby league with 59, Australia’s leading try scorer and was a member of the Kangaroos’ World Cup-winning side of 2000.
“I’ll miss it,” Lockyer said after the game. “But I’ve been fortunate to have the career I’ve had. There have been some special moments.”
New Zealand overcame Australia in last year’s Four Nations final in Brisbane, while England last beat Australia in the opening game of the 1995 World Cup at Wembley.
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