Recently re-signed Brisbane Broncos back-rower Matt Gillett says he is fully fit and ready to take his place in the Kangaroos side for this weekend's Test match against the Kiwis should he be selected.
There were fears the 28-year-old would miss the New Zealand match in Perth as well as the upcoming Four Nations tour to the UK after he injured a tendon in his left shoulder in State of Origin III earlier in the year and missed three club games as a result.
But after making a successful return in Round 22, Gillett didn't miss a minute in his final five matches of the year to prove to himself that he was over the injury setback.
"I hurt it in the last game of Origin and had a couple of weeks off after that," he told NRL.com.
"I did some rehab over that period and got my strength back pretty quickly so I was good to go and able to finish the season. It was all pretty comfortable from then on.
"I didn't need any needles before or during any games. I just strapped it up and went through precautionary stuff like that. The staff at the Broncos really helped me get through it."
Following Brisbane's heart-breaking 26-20 extra-time loss to the Cowboys in the second week of the finals, Gillett sought confirmation from specialists to ensure his shoulder would be up to the rigours of international football.
The prognosis was as good as he could have hoped for.
"I had to get it checked out after we finished the season, but everything was good," he said.
"I went and saw the surgeon and they were all pretty happy with how it looked. They told me that a bit of rest between the end of our season and now would do it some good, and they were right.
"Resting the body over these past few weeks and not having to do much contact has been really beneficial."
The 2016 Dally M Second-Rower of the Year has featured in two Anzac Tests for the Kangaroos, but has never been part of a touring squad.
He said the prospect of missing out on his first trip away with the national side would have been a bitter pill to swallow.
"It would have been shattering to miss this tour through injury because this is what you play footy for," Gillett said.
"Everyone wants to represent their country so I guess I'm lucky that I've come away on top of the injury and am now ready to go away and have a good time with the lads.
"This will be the first tour for a few of us here so we're not too sure what to expect. I think we'll just hang around some of the senior boys who have done it before and take it all in."
