From www.stuff.co.nz
By STEVE KILGALLON
Nathan Fien, a former Queensland State of Origin hooker, will be called into the Kiwis' squad to defend their Tri-Nations title.
Fien, from Mount Isa in north-west Queensland, is eligible for New Zealand through his late Wanganui-born grandmother.
The 27-year-old Warriors player declared his allegiance to the Kiwis earlier this year, only for Australian Rugby League chief executive Geoff Carr to claim Fien did not meet residency qualifications.
Kiwis coach Brian McClennan is due to name 10-12 players from NRL clubs not in the finals for an initial train-on squad this week. It will include Fien, who had to convince McClennan he was genuine about the black jersey.
"Bluey wanted to know that if I made the decision I wouldn't be turning back. I definitely won't," Fien said.
"He wanted to know where I stood - the things I grew up with in Queensland, being the underdog, and always wanting to do the best for your team, related to what Bluey expected from his players in the Kiwis."
Fien said he began thinking about playing for New Zealand earlier this season and conversations with Warriors fullback Brent Webb, another exiled Queenslander who plays for New Zealand, convinced him. "We're not breaking any rules ... and I'd love to wear the jersey," said Fien.
"I'd put my body on the line and I am a man who won't turn back on a decision.
"People said I nearly made Origin this year, and that I could still go and do that, but this is where I stand now.
"This is my decision and if Queensland want me to play now, it is not the way I will go."
Fien, who is contracted for one more season at the Warriors, has a New Zealand-born daughter and, he relates proudly, his son has already learned to count in Maori. He wants to extend his stay here beyond 2007.
By STEVE KILGALLON
Nathan Fien, a former Queensland State of Origin hooker, will be called into the Kiwis' squad to defend their Tri-Nations title.
Fien, from Mount Isa in north-west Queensland, is eligible for New Zealand through his late Wanganui-born grandmother.
The 27-year-old Warriors player declared his allegiance to the Kiwis earlier this year, only for Australian Rugby League chief executive Geoff Carr to claim Fien did not meet residency qualifications.
Kiwis coach Brian McClennan is due to name 10-12 players from NRL clubs not in the finals for an initial train-on squad this week. It will include Fien, who had to convince McClennan he was genuine about the black jersey.
"Bluey wanted to know that if I made the decision I wouldn't be turning back. I definitely won't," Fien said.
"He wanted to know where I stood - the things I grew up with in Queensland, being the underdog, and always wanting to do the best for your team, related to what Bluey expected from his players in the Kiwis."
Fien said he began thinking about playing for New Zealand earlier this season and conversations with Warriors fullback Brent Webb, another exiled Queenslander who plays for New Zealand, convinced him. "We're not breaking any rules ... and I'd love to wear the jersey," said Fien.
"I'd put my body on the line and I am a man who won't turn back on a decision.
"People said I nearly made Origin this year, and that I could still go and do that, but this is where I stand now.
"This is my decision and if Queensland want me to play now, it is not the way I will go."
Fien, who is contracted for one more season at the Warriors, has a New Zealand-born daughter and, he relates proudly, his son has already learned to count in Maori. He wants to extend his stay here beyond 2007.
