KEY POINTS:
Dragons winger Jason Nightingale is immersing himself in the New Zealand Maori team after missing out on the Kiwis 24-man Rugby League World Cup squad.
Nightingale was one of the surprise omissions after an impressive National Rugby League season in which he scored 13 tries.
The 22-year-old will start for the New Zealand Maori in Sunday's match against the All Golds in New Plymouth and spent last night in a marae in Ngaruawahia.
Nightingale says it has been great to experience some Maori culture as it is something he gets little of in Australia.
He can his non-selection in the Kiwis squad as Warriors powerhouse Manu Vatuvei and Roosters flyer Sam Perrett have been in great form.
Nightingale is aware he may get called-up into the squad if either Brent Webb or Steve Matai fail to prove their fitness.
He says he just has to keep his hopes up and use this Sunday's match between the New Zealand Maori and All Golds as a trial.
Kiwis World Cup squad
Nathan Cayless (Parramatta, captain), Adam Blair (Melbourne), Greg Eastwood (Brisbane), David Fa'alogo (South Sydney), Nathan Fien (New Zealand Warriors), Dene Halatau (Wests Tigers), Lance Hohaia (NZ Warriors), Krisnan Inu (Parramatta), David Kidwell (South Sydney), Thomas Leuluai (Wigan), Jeff Lima (Melbourne), Issac Luke (South Sydney), Simon Mannering (NZ Warriors), Sika Manu (Melbourne), Benji Marshall (Wests Tigers), Steve Matai (Manly), Sam Perrett (Sydney Roosters), Sam Rapira (NZ Warriors), Jerome Ropati (NZ Warriors), Setaimata Sa (Sydney Roosters), Jeremy Smith(Melbourne), Iosia Soliola (Sydney Roosters), Manu Vatuvei (NZ Warriors), Brent Webb (Leeds).
- NEWSTALK ZB
