Ruben Wiki: Proud to wear Kiwi jersey and relieved to be playing

I can't wait to put on the Kiwis jersey on Friday night. In fact I can't wait to put on any jersey, after sitting out four weeks through suspension.

It's been frustrating but it's only made me hungry to get back on the field and there's no greater honour than playing for your country.

It's why I'll put my friendship with Steve Price on hold for a day if he's picked for the Australian squad.

In the end, emotion can't come into it because we're both representing our countries. There's no doubt we'll lock horns at some stage - he'll just be hoping I go for the tackle around the legs rather than higher up.

I don't find it hard playing team-mates or friends because I had to do it every year I played against the Warriors while I was at Canberra. In the end, it actually gives you a lift because you want to give a good account of yourself.

Steve and I are quite different people, he certainly doesn't like the kava and we don't sit down for cups of tea. But I respect him as a player and a person - he's a family man like me - and when he says something you can't help but listen because he's a true leader.

It's been hard sitting on the sidelines lately but I've been doing extra training and conditioning to make sure I'll be ready when I run out at Suncorp Stadium on Friday.

You can never beat match fitness but it's important to try to do something similar to what the rest of the guys are doing on game day.

The selectors have gone for a mix of youth and experience and, even though we've lost some strike power with injuries to the likes of Sonny Bill Williams, Tony Puletua and Joe Galuvao, it's still a strong side. We've got some good depth in the back row and Roy Asotasi, Sione Faumuina, Bronson Harrison and Frank Pritchard are no mugs.

The way I approach being captain is to talk to each of the young guys in the lead-up to the test and welcome them into the family.

Despite the fact it's a test match, I just tell them to have fun and take it all in because it's special to be able to play for the Kiwis.

Although I'd like to play at prop, it doesn't really matter because wherever you play in the forwards it's all the same. I don't exactly have a sidestep so my job is to lead the charge and let the backs take over.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY