Queensland coach Mal Meninga and captain Darren Lockyer have called for Andrew Johns to make himself available for next month's Test against New Zealand or be barred from playing State of Origin.

The pair made the comments after NSW coach Graham Murray expressed his desire for Johns to make an Origin comeback - on the proviso that he is fit and in form.

Blues captain and Johns's Newcastle teammate Danny Buderus revealed that the 32-year-old halfback great was only likely to do so if he was at the top of his game and the Knights were in good shape, something he would not know until shortly before the sold-out series opener on May 23 at Suncorp Stadium.

However, the trans-Tasman Test is on April 20, and Meninga and Lockyer said Johns should put his hand up for selection - or else stay in representative retirement.

"In State of Origin, you want the best available, and that obviously includes Andrew Johns - but you've got to be careful," Lockyer said. "If he makes himself available for State of Origin and not Australia, you set a precedent, which could be dangerous."

Meninga added: "I reckon it would be great if he plays but he's got to make himself available for all rep football."

Johns confirmed last week that he would seek permission from the Knights to play Origin and ask the ARL to reverse his exemption from selection if he felt up to the task.

But Buderus said Johns would be wary of making a comeback. "Last year, he had such a tremendous end to his rep career ... he's not going to come back unless he's fighting fit, the Knights haven't lost a game and he hasn't got a bruise," Buderus said.

Murray said he would like to have Johns in the NSW side but was also realistic about the odds of his return. "I think it would have to be Andrew Johns's call, with the rider that he's in good form and he's healthy," Murray said.

"I'd hate to see him come back just for the sake of playing."

Meanwhile, Johns's long-time Test rival, Stacey Jones, yesterday advised Kiwis coach Brian McClennan he would not be available for selection - but it is unclear whether the former Warriors star has retired from international football.

McClennan may now switch Wests Tigers playmaker Benji Marshall to halfback.