Kieran Foran should be welcomed back into the New Zealand side for next month's trans-Tasman Test if he's up to it.
That's the message from Kiwis teammate and Sydney Roosters flyer Shaun Kenny-Dowall after his good mate made a successful NRL return on Sunday.
The classy No.6 had an immediate impact in his Warriors debut, scoring the try in his side's come-from-behind win over the Gold Coast at Mt Smart Stadium.
"If his form warrants it, he's done the work and the NRL has cleared him mentally to play rugby league again, it'll probably be the best thing for him, to just get around the boys," Kenny-Dowall told AAP.
"If he's playing good enough football, I think he should be."
It was a big step for Foran after a tumultuous 10 months which has included surgery to overcome a shoulder injury, a public battle with personal demons and a probe into his links with gambling identity Eddie Hayson.
Foran has four more games in front of him before the May 5 Test against Australia in Canberra and it remains to be seen if coach David Kidwell will look to him so soon.
But for the Kiwis he may be their best option.
Thomas Leuluai, who wore the No.6 for the New Zealand for three games during last year's Four Nations has moved to the English Super League with Wigan.
Melbourne back-rower Tohu Harris, who filled in at five-eighth during the Four Nations final, isn't due back from a foot injury for several weeks while Penrith half Te Maire Martin may be viewed as too young after just 11 first grade appearances.
"He's proved what he can do in the New Zealand jumper before and he's a competitor and a great football player," Kenny-Dowall said of Foran.
"He'll be a great asset to New Zealand rugby league if he's ready to go."
