Manu Vatuvei admits he'll be gutted if his name is missing when the Kiwis announce their squad to defend the rugby league World Cup.
The giant Warriors winger has the experience of 20 caps under his belt and was part of New Zealand's huge upset over Australia in the cup final in Brisbane in 2008.
But he's been out of the Kiwis more than in since then, and there has been just one Test appearance since October 2010.
Injuries have been the main reason he's sat out, but he was also a notable omission against the Kangaroos 12 months ago.
Vatuvei says not getting picked for the match in Townsville gave him plenty of motivation to try to bounce back this year.
An injury-disrupted start to the NRL season meant he wasn't in the frame for the Anzac Test, but to get to the World Cup remained the big target.
"It's a massive goal for me, so I'll be really gutted if I didn't," he said.
The 27-year-old finished the season again topping the Warriors' try-scoring list with 16 from 19 matches, extending his club-record career tally to 118 tries.
He knows he faces competition for a spot in the Kiwis' 24-man World Cup squad to be named on Tuesday.
Among those also in contention are the experienced pair of Sam Perrett and Jason Nightingale, Dally M winger of the year Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Wests Tigers youngster Tim Simona.
"Those guys have been playing really well this year so we'll be fighting to get that spot," Vatuvei said.
For Vatuvei, getting the chance to defend the world title is something he would dearly love.
"I was lucky enough to be in that team and I know the feeling of winning it," he said.
"If I get my opportunity to get back into that black-and-white jersey, it will be awesome."
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