Dane Gagai has declared his desire to deliver New Zealand a Rugby League World Cup title, nine years after helping Australia win the trophy.
The veteran has been granted special permission to switch his eligibility from Australia to New Zealand and has embraced the chance to honour his New Zealand heritage through his mother.
The move comes eight years after he last played for the Kangaroos and nine years since he helped the side win the World Cup with a tense 6-0 victory over England in the final.
While much has changed for the 35-year-old since then, Gagai says his hunger for victory remains just as strong as the Kiwis prepare to open their campaign against Australia at Allianz Stadium on Thursday, with kickoff at 9.05pm.
Meanwhile, the Vodafone Fiji Bati will open their campaign against the Cook Islands at 5.05pm this Sunday.
They will then face Australia at 9.05pm on the 25th of this month before taking on New Zealand at 4.30pm on the 31st.
The Vodafone Fiji Bulikula will kick off their campaign against New Zealand at 2.50pm this Sunday.
They will then face Papua New Guinea at 2.15pm on the 24th before taking on France at 2.20pm on the 31st.
Source: NRL
