DISCUSSIONS between Darren Lockyer's management and club over his future have begun, and the Australian captain will know before next season starts whether he will be finishing his career with Brisbane or heading elsewhere after 2009.

During an interview with the Herald in which Lockyer talked about his future, coach Ricky Stuart's effect on the Australian team and the dangers New Zealand present going into tomorrow night's World Cup final at Suncorp Stadium, the 31-year-old five-eighth said he wanted to play for two more seasons after next year, which is the last on his current contract with the Broncos.

That would see Lockyer, who is already a 14-year veteran of first grade, finish up at 34, but the question is where? Brisbane are his preferred option, but he would have no trouble attracting a huge deal with an English club. Lockyer said he was keen to avoid a drawn-out negotiating period

"I want to make a decision on my future by early in the new year," he said. "I can't be sure of that happening, because sometimes these things take time, but I don't want to drag it out. I'd like to know what I'm doing well ahead of time, and if I was to leave the Broncos, I'd want to give them plenty of time to plan. They've got a few things to do. They've got to work out what they're doing with Karmichael [Hunt], for a start."

Hunt, the 22-year-old Brisbane fullback and interchange player for Australia, is also about to enter the final year of his club contract. He will attract massive interest from other NRL clubs, England and rugby union, and Brisbane are bound to have to offer a substantial increase to keep him. Under those circumstances, it would be a neat trick if they can manage to hang on to Hunt and Lockyer, as Broncos chief executive Bruno Cullen conceded.

"It depends what they are looking for, in regards to staying, and, more in Karmichael's case, what else is out there. 'K' has got another 10 years in him at this level," Cullen said. "He's already up there among the best players in the game, and we always knew we'd have a battle on our hands to keep him. We'll do our best to retain both Karmichael and Darren. It won't be easy, but it's not impossible. I'd say we've got a reasonable chance."

Cullen and Lockyer's manager, George Mimis, started talks on October 31. "George and I had a long discussion," Cullen said. "He said he and Darren wanted to talk as soon as possible after the World Cup was over. He said they were keen to wrap up Darren's future by the December-January mark, if he's going to be at Brisbane. Darren wants to stay, if we can work something out."

Lockyer said the knee he had reconstructed towards the end of the 2007 season was now fine, and that he was enjoying playing representative football as much as ever.

"It has been a great environment Ricky has created with the Australian team," he said. "He fits into the role really well. He is passionate about his football, he's intense when he needs to be and he makes it relaxed at other times. This is a very talented team, and when you have a big win or two the challenge for the coach is to be able to get the team up when they need to be, for a big game. Ricky meets that challenge really well.

"It's been particularly good for me to have some new blokes come into the team as well because that helps to keep it fresh and exciting, working with guys you haven't played with before. I'll be keen to keep going at this level as long as Ricky is there."

Lockyer nominated five-eighth Benji Marshall, halfback Nathan Fien and fullback Lance Hohaia as the biggest Kiwi threats to Australia's chances of winning the cup. "Marshall, Fien and Hohaia are dangerous when the defence is on the back foot," he said. "We can't afford to drop the ball like we did against Fiji. New Zealand are capable of doing the necessary damage if you give them the opportunity. They've got the players to create from space.

"If they're allowed to play their natural game without pressure, it's going to be a handful for us."