Josh Mansour has declared he has unfinished business in the Australian jersey as he sets his sights on a World Cup berth.
The Penrith winger's Four Nations Tournament last November ended after just one game when he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament during training, ruling him out for the rest of the tour and the start of the 2017 NRL season.
The injury stopped him from being part of the Kangaroos in the Anzac Test in May, while he also lost his NSW State of Origin spot even though he came back for the Panthers in round 13 following the first game of the series.
And now the 27-year-old is making no secret of the fact he wants his Australian wing spot back.
"How my tour ended last year really was disappointing for myself and I feel like I've got unfinished business," he said.
"It's a privilege to wear that jersey and it's the ultimate honour in rugby league and I want to be back in that side.
"I'll do whatever it takes to get that jersey back."
Mansour has not heard from Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga this season, and has accepted the knee injury has not helped his chances.
Dane Gagai and James Tedesco were named on the wings in Meninga's Kangaroos Origin Merit squad, selected after Origin III, while Billy Slater's likely return could send Darius Boyd out wide.
Blake Ferguson was also awarded Australia's player of the series in last year's Four Nations, but has since had off-field woes for NSW.
Regardless though, Mansour is well aware he has a chance to make a statement in the NRL finals series for Penrith - provided they secure their spot in his 100th game against Manly on Saturday.
"I'm confident in my own ability at the end of the day," Mansour said.
"Obviously it was a disrupted year for myself so hopefully my form at the back-end of the season goes for higher honours."
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