Broncos fullback Jordan Kahu knows he's just passing through as Kiwis No.1 but hopes he can still do a job for the Test outfit.
Kahu, 25, lined up on the wing for his NRL side in 2016 but will fill in at fullback in the upcoming Four Nations series.
Incumbent No.1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was felled by a serious knee injury for the Warriors in April and is yet to return to action.
Kahu told reporters in Auckland that despite his role at Brisbane, he saw himself as a fullback going forward for both club and country.
But he understood Tuivasa-Sheck was the Kiwis' undisputed first choice.
"I'm just happy to hold the jersey while Roger's injured," Kahu said.
"Everyone knows the No.1 jersey is his and I'm not here to take it off him."
Kahu enjoyed a productive 2016 campaign for the Broncos, nabbing 15 tries and nine line breaks as his side fell out in the finals.
He saw no reason why he couldn't replicate that form alongside Kiwis halves Shaun Johnson and Thomas Leuluai.
"We talk a lot at training and the games are going to be big for us, for gelling together," Kahu said.
"The more games we play, the better that combination will work."
Kahu forms part of what appears a fearsome Kiwis backline for the Four Nations, with the experienced Jason Nightingale and Shaun Kenny-Dowall joined by in-form guns Jordan Rapana and Solomone Kata.
However the quintet failed to fire a fortnight ago against the Kangaroos in Perth, slumping to a 26-6 loss.
Kenny-Dowall, who lined up at centre, had a particularly off night and was responsible for at least two of Australia's five tries.
He admitted he was off-colour against the Kangaroos but said he'd moved on quickly from the match and was focused on the tour.
The Kiwis will kick off their Four Nations campaign against hosts England in Huddersfield on Saturday.
"When we completed our sets and got into the game, and put some pressure on Australia, we looked good," the Roosters stalwart said.
"If we can get a win first up against England, such a good team, it'll do our confidence good going into the rest of the tournament."
- AAP