Shaun Johnson hopes to return to the New Zealand side for this year's Rugby League World Cup in England, with the Kiwis looming as tournament contenders.
Boasting a side of some of the NRL's best, Michael Maguire's Kiwis will be one of the sides to watch at this year's World Cup, held after its delay in 2021.
And as the NRL nears its pointy end, New Zealand players are running out of chances to put their hands up to earn a spot in Maguire's plans.
With his season over after a calf injury scratched him from NZ Warriors' season finale against Gold Coast Titans on Saturday, Johnson won't be able to push for a starting spot, but concedes travelling to the World Cup at all would be an achievement.
After a struggling season with the Warriors based in Australia, Johnson didn't know if he'd even want to be part of New Zealand's World Cup.
But now having spent more time with his family, wife Kayla and daughter Millah, Johnson says he's prepared to be part of Maguire's plans.
"I spoke to Madge [Maguire] a couple of months ago," Johnson said. "I was in a different headspace to the current one I'm in now.
"That conversation was 'there's no chance'. I couldn't think about being further away from my family. This was when I hadn't seen my family.
"I've spent, since that period, a lot of time with them, had my daughter with me, had Kayla with me in Australia the last two-three weeks.
"I feel a lot different."
Johnson hasn't played for the Kiwis since 2019, and after their return to action earlier this year with victory over Tonga, the side is a much different one than he last turned out for.
In the halves, the outstanding pair of Melbourne Storm's Jahrome Hughes and Dylan Brown of Parramatta Eels have proven to be New Zealand's best at NRL level.
And Johnson knows he has a job on his hand to force his way into contention.
"I'm not saying that's what's going to happen. We've got a gun side - a side I think can actually win it.
"I think the halves we've got there in Jahrome [Hughes] and Dyls [Dylan Brown], and Joey Manu at the back there, it's pretty special.
"It's a long way to go, but I'd never rule that out.
"Representing your country, I've always said, is the pinnacle of our sport. It's always an honour to be considered and be in that environment."
Not letting ego get in the way, though, Johnson adds he's prepared to take a backseat to his younger counterparts and occupy the senior role.
"I still find it weird when these younger guys remember games I played years ago and go 'I watched you'. I'm always like 'bro, shut up'.
"If there's one of them in the Kiwis environment somewhere, where he remembers a moment from a Kiwis game somewhere, then I remember what it was like when I was in the presence of those older boys in the group.
"I get that it adds value, so I think I can do that, yeah."
