League: Nightingale takes it all in his stride

Jason Nightingale. Photo / Getty Images

You almost sense Kiwis rugby league wing Jason Nightingale is wondering what all the fuss is about.

He is in the form of his life and the past two months have been career-defining - he was a two-try hero for St George Illawarra in their National Rugby League (NRL) grand final win against the Roosters earlier this month - yet he feels his game has not reached new levels, rather he has been piggy-backing off his teammates.

"Probably just the way my club side has been going," was Nightingale's rather modest reply when asked what they key to his outstanding form had been.

"Obviously at the Dragons we had a good year and I just played off the back of that with a consistent level.

"I don't think (my game) has gone to a different level. I think I'm just doing the same things I have been doing and maybe a few more things are coming off and going my way. I'm riding my luck a little bit."

Nightingale won the contentious right wing spot when Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney yesterday named his starting 13 for the Four Nations opener against England here on Saturday.

Roosters wing Sam Perrett was the unlucky player, with Manu Vatuvei an automatic selection on the opposite wing.

Nightingale, 24, has made six international appearances for the Kiwis but they have invariably come about because other players have been injured.

This time, he is a first choice.

But he is the first to admit he must perform this week or risk losing his long-coveted spot.

"I've still got to prove myself on the weekend and every game after that," Nightingale said.

"You've never got a regular spot in any team. There is pressure on us every week especially for wing spots.

"I'm sure that will be in the back of my mind going into the game."

There are several positional swaps and personnel changes to the team which beat Samoa 50-6 at Auckland last Saturday.

Simon Mannering will start in the second row with Frank Pritchard moving to the bench, Kearney saying it was always his intention to start Mannering against England after the reliable Warriors captain had been restricted by illness in the leadup to the Samoa match.

Pritchard can be a real threat with ball in hand and Kearney was certain he would feature strongly off the bench.

The other changes to the starting team come at halfback and hooker.

Nathan Fien starts at halfback with Thomas Leuluai switched to run on at hooker, while Issac Luke, who began the Samoa match at hooker, has been relegated to the bench.

- NZPA