Luke Lewis has earmarked newly-crowned RLIF International Player of the Year Todd Carney as the heir apparent to Darren Lockyer as Kangaroos five-eighth.

Carney will replace Lockyer when he makes his Test debut on Saturday night against New Zealand at Eden Park, and Lewis believes the 2010 Dally M winner has what it takes to be his long-term successor.

"I have obviously played against him in the past but watching him close up in training you realise what a tremendous player he is," Lewis told AAP.

"Locky obviously has the jumper at the moment, but in the future I believe Toddy can be the man who can take over when he decides to call it a day."

The Penrith utility, who has been a part of the NSW side that has tasted five successive State of Origin series defeats to Queensland, also believes Carney is a must for the Blues in 2011.

"I hope he is in the side, he is playing well enough to be there, and he certainly won't make us weaker," he said.

"We have had a bit of a lean time of it in recent years and I would personally love to see Toddy and Mitchell Pearce in the halves."

Lewis was named International Lock of the Year at the RLIF Awards in Auckland on Wednesday, and the 28-year-old admitted it was a huge surprise to pip some illustrious names such as Paul Gallen, Craig Fitzgibbon and Glenn Stewart for the prize.

"To be honest, I thought Gal should have won it, but it is a very proud moment for me and I couldn't wait to get on the phone and ring the family," he said.

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