League: Kearney keen to keep Fien as Kiwis option

Nathan Fien. Photo / Getty Images

Nathan Fien remains high on Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney's wish-list as he recovers from his broken leg.

Fien broke the fibula (calf bone) of his right leg and dislocated his ankle just 36 minutes into the NRL season with the Dragons.

The accident occurred in their win over the Eels on March 12. He will spend the best part of the next month recuperating but could be back to play the Sea Eagles in round 23.

The Dragons' strong form means Fien will get a chance to play in the finals as Kearney weighs up his halves options for the Four Nations tournament in October and November.

Fien was brought into Wayne Bennett's side midway through last season after securing a transfer from the Warriors. He has since been a valued interchange option.

Conveniently, Kearney could get to see the 30-year-old's skills against his main rival for the Kiwis halfback spot, Kieran Foran, in the August 16 fixture. The 20-year-old Manly number 7 has made further strides this season, both directing his club side and gaining valuable experience with a solid display in May's Anzac test.

Kearney holds loyalty for Fien: "Before he got injured he was playing as well as ever. I was aware he was due back soon but time has sneaked up. With eight [regular season] games to go I expect Manly [currently ninth] and St George [top of the table] to be there. If Nathan gets back to anywhere near the form of recent seasons, his name will be in the mix."

Fien is keen but will be rusty.

"I should have a decent chance to press for selection but will be rusty," Fien says. "I'm excited about possibly playing a role in the back end of season with the Dragons, especially with the finals spot looking sound. I had my first full team session this week but I'm not 100 per cent.

"Having been out so long I'm still getting confidence on the leg again, literally finding my feet, but that should come in the next four weeks. It's then a matter of getting my fitness up. It is hard to replace match fitness coming out of the cast and moon boot."

Kearney says Dragons coach Wayne Bennett knows Fien well, having helped train him as part of the World Cup-winning squad in 2008. He says Bennett has a good grasp of what Fien is doing and expects to see the halfback given a chance.

Fien's Dragons team-mate Jeremy Smith is struggling to regain full fitness in his comeback. The 2008 New Zealand player of the year is expected to be right for the Four Nations but has not played a test since the World Cup.

"Initially he did knee ligament damage to miss this year's Anzac test," Kearney says. "Then he tore his calf muscle and did it again a fortnight ago after just 20 minutes [against the Tigers]."

The 30-year-old is still out of action. "The Anzac test hasn't been kind to us," Kearney says. "Kieran [Foran] hurt his shoulder in that test, then had to play the next day [for Manly] when his hamstring pulled up tight and he had three weeks off. I'm aware of what Kieran is capable of, he's had a lot of football thrust on him in the last little while but I expect him to lead the charge for Manly in the back end of the season."

Kearney says Wigan halfback Thomas Leuluai is another contender for the halfback spot with his side top of the British Super League ladder.

All Super League players will be available for the Four Nations, after being ruled out of contention for the Anzac test.