KEY POINTS:
It was straight out of a Charles Dickens novel because for Nathan Fien it was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
Two years ago he was selected for his adopted country for the 2006 Tri Nations but his world fell around him amid the
Grannygate scandal.
He became the central character, albeit a reluctant one, in a very public saga made worse by a dreadfully incompetent NZRL.
Yesterday, Fien played his third test for New Zealand but his first as a bona-fide representative. Only injury seems like it can stop him adding to that total in the coming weeks at the World Cup.
People haven't forgotten about Grannygate, as much as Fien has tried, but he can now at least put that episode behind him.
"That stuff is dead and buried with me," he said in his still distinctive Australian drawl. "I have moved on and have played two seasons with the Warriors since then.
"I'm very proud to be back involved. I was over the moon when I was named in the squad. I was just hoping I would get an opportunity at some stage in the tournament. I was lucky enough to get that today and am really happy to be back out there.
"It's always a buzz playing these international games and everything that's involved with them, like the haka. It was a special occasion and something I will remember for a long time."
Fien looks set to be the Kiwis' first-choice hooker ahead of the young and dynamic Issac Luke, who will provide impact off the bench.
He provides structure and reliability in the No 9 jersey, as well as back-up to Thomas Leuluai and Benji Marshall in the kicking department.
He also seems to fit into the Melbourne-style gameplan coach Stephen Kearney has imple-mented based on structure and intensity. Fien is also a nuggety and reliable defender.
Fien has learned to be resilient in his career.
"I had a bit of turmoil this year surrounding my future at the Warriors [when they said I wasn't in their plans beyond 2009]," he said. "Just getting older as a player, you learn to handle these things a lot better. The Grannygate thing might have helped me with what happened at the Warriors this year.
"You just have to get on and play your football and do the best you can. Fortunately I was able to do that and I have got the rewards because I'm here in the New Zealand World Cup squad. It was a goal of mine at the start of the year to be involved and I couldn't be happier."
A World Cup victory might top it and there is a quiet confidence within the Kiwis that they can do just that.
"We will give it a shake," Fien said.
That would, indeed, be the best of times.
