Johnathan Thurston has urged Kangaroos skipper Darren Lockyer to continue his glittering representative career and prolong their sparkling halves combination.

Thurston has partnered Test and Queensland captain Lockyer since he broke into the State of Origin arena in 2005 and the Maroons haven't looked back since.

Lockyer was expected to announce his representative retirement during this year but a strong 2010, which included a record fifth straight Origin series victory, has him considering playing representative league again next year.

The 33-year-old left the door open after the Kangaroos suffered their upset Four Nations final loss to New Zealand a fortnight ago, his 54th Test appearance.

Cowboys captain Thurston missed the Four Nations due to foot and ankle surgery but had no doubts Lockyer was still the man to lead Australia and Queensland.

"He's got so much influence over the team," Thurston told AAP on Wednesday.

"Whatever he decides we're sure to know soon but to run around in the Maroon jersey (alongside Lockyer again) would be great."

With Roosters star Todd Carney emerging as a prime NSW five-eighth candidate, Lockyer would have a greater challenge to keep his No.6 Test jersey.

But Thurston said Lockyer had proven his class and value time after time when under pressure and believed the Broncos veteran remained the most influential playmaker in the game.

"Whenever people write him off he plays his best footy," he said.

"We've had a fair bit of success playing in the halves together and we know each other's games pretty well and he might not be as quick as he used to be but he's still quick between the ears.

"If he decided to roll around again I'm sure he would be pretty sharp."

Thurston was among a host of leading players the Kangaroos missed in the Four Nations, including Greg Inglis and Jarryd Hayne.

The 18-Test halfback said the 16-12 final loss showed Australia needed to have their best team to beat the World Cup champion Kiwis in big matches.

"Their (the Kiwis) confidence and self-belief in their team has soared in the last couple of years," he said.

"There's no disrespect to the boys in the (Australian) team but there was a fair few injuries and in this day and age Australia need their best players on the field to beat the Kiwis."

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