Wallace up for post-Lockyer challenge

Brisbane halfback Peter Wallace admits the challenge of continuing without Darren Lockyer will be a big one.

Wallace will be partnered by either Corey Norman or Ben Hunt next season following Lockyer’s retirement at the end of last year.

The 26-year-old former Penrith player readily admits that he will be required more responsibility for the Broncos if they are to improve on last season’s preliminary final exit at the hands of Manly.

“I have played a bit of footy without him (Lockyer) now,” he said.

“It’s a pretty exciting time foe the club – it is going to be a big challenge. I am sure one of the young boys will step up to the plate and do a great job.

“Obviously you have to play together and you can’t demand the ball all the time.

“I’ll make sure the partnership with the other half is a good one.

“But it does give me a chance to run the team around a bit more than I would have the previous couple of years.”

Meanwhile, veteran prop Petero Civoniceva has been withdrawn from next month’s NRL All Stars match due to injury.