League: Fien rapt to be back in the black

Nathan Fien is off to Britain for the Four Nations tour. Photo / Getty Images

Once a Kiwi, always a Kiwi. Being dumped by the Warriors hasn't diminished Nathan Fien's love of playing for his adopted nation. Quite the opposite, in fact.

For a player who had to endure Grannygate before finding redemption in last year's World Cup triumph, pulling on a Kiwis jumper has become even more special.

"It's definitely something that I wanted to do," Fien said after Wednesday night's scrappy victory over Tonga.

"I put my hand up to play for the Kiwis a few years ago now and there is no way I'd ever go back. I'm in the brotherhood.

"When the stuff was going down with the Warriors, I always had it in the back of my mind that I wanted to be in the black again with the boys. Every time I pull on that black jersey I'll be doing it with pride and doing as best I can."

That he wasn't able to reverse the Warriors' long-signalled intention to cut him was a great disappointment to someone who embraced wholeheartedly his switch to Auckland from North Queensland in 2005.

Fien could hardly be accused of cutting and running for home. He hasn't sold his Auckland house, and hasn't ruled out returning to Auckland long-term.

"We loved living in New Zealand. My kids were born and brought up here and we didn't have any plans of moving. After the World Cup and the year the Warriors had last year where we came through and made the preliminary finals, I had very high hopes [of staying].

"But it didn't turn out that way. I don't hold any qualms towards the administration or the coaches. I will always be a Warrior. I love the club and I am sure they are going to bounce back."

He might also love being back in black but Wednesday's patchy effort against Tonga has left him under no illusions over the challenge facing a Kiwis side that flies out to England today hoping to add the inaugural Four Nations title to their World Cup and 2005 Tri Nations crowns.

"We were a little bit scratchy but it was definitely what we needed heading over to the UK. The way we started the second half, we are definitely going to have to improve on that. The Tongans had nine sets to our two. If we do that over the next three weeks you are going to get hurt. But it was a great experience to be back playing footie with the boys."