THE GAMES
* October 23 New Zealand v England Westpac Stadium Wellington, New Zealand
* October 24 Australia v Papua New Guinea Parramatta Stadium Sydney, Australia
* October 30 New Zealand v Papua New Guinea International Stadium Rotorua, New Zealand
* October 31 Australia v England Venue TBC Melbourne, Australia
* November 6 England v Papua New Guinea Eden Park Auckland, New Zealand
* November 6 New Zealand v Australia Eden Park Auckland, New Zealand
* November 13 Four Nations Final Suncorp Stadium Brisbane, Australia
Nightingale takes it all in stride
You almost sense Kiwis rugby league wing Jason Nightingale is wondering what all the fuss is about.
He is in the form of his life and the past two months have been career-defining - he was a two-try hero for St George Illawarra in their National Rugby League (NRL) grand-final win against the Roosters earlier this month - yet he feels his game has not reached new levels, rather he has been piggy-backing off his teammates.
"Probably just the way my club side has been going," was Nightingale's rather modest reply when asked what the key to his outstanding form had been.
"Obviously at the Dragons, we had a good year and I just played off the back of that with a consistent level. I don't think (my game) has gone to a different level. I think I'm just doing the same things and maybe a few more things are going my way. I'm riding my luck a little bit."
Nightingale (above) won the contentious right-wing spot when Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney on Wednesday named his starting 13 for the Four Nations opener against England in Wellington tomorrow. Roosters wing Sam Perrett was the unlucky player, with Manu Vatuvei an automatic selection on the opposite wing.
Nightingale, 24, has made six international appearances for the Kiwis but they have invariably come about because other players have been injured.
This time, he is a first choice. But he is the first to admit he must perform this week or risk losing his long-coveted spot.
"I've still got to prove myself on the weekend and every game after that," Nightingale said. "You've never got a regular spot in any team.
"There is pressure on us every week especially for wing spots."
There are several positional swaps and personnel changes to the team that beat Samoa 50-6 at Auckland last Saturday.
Simon Mannering will start in the second row with Frank Pritchard moving to the bench.
Meanwhile, Nathan Fien will start at halfback and Thomas Leuluai will run on at hooker, with Issac Luke, on the bench.
Lockyer not ready to quit yet
Australian captain Darren Lockyer says this year's Four Nations won't be his swansong from international rugby league and he is confident of another Brisbane Broncos premiership before he retires.
Lockyer has played 51 test matches in his 13-year international career, but still feels capable of handling the extra load of representative football.
Some mid-week wrestling work has him convinced he's recovered from a painful rib injury and Lockyer said he'll re-evaluate his Kangaroos future next year.
Lockyer is determined to play for club, state and country as long as he's physically able and the prospect of a fifth premiership with the Broncos is also keeping the 33-year-old going.
"I've got a job to do here now and I'll evaluate things at the start of next year," Lockyer said ahead of Sunday's tournament opener against Papua New Guinea. My ribs are fine. Mentally it's been a good little rest."
THE TEAMS
KUMULS
Ryan Tongia, Michael Mark, Jessy Joe Parker, Larsen Marabe, Elijah Riyong, Dion Aiye, Benjamin John, George Moni, Paul Aiton (c), Rodney Pora, Rodney Griffin, Sigfred Gande, Glen Nami, Pidi Tongap, Joseph Pombo, Nickson Kolo, Johnson Kuike, Makali Aizue, Emmanuel Yere, David Loko, Charlie Wabo, Richard Kembo, Desmond Mok, Alex Haija. (final team not avaliable)
KANGAROOS
Billy Slater, Lote Tuqiri, Brent Tate, Willie Tonga, Brett Morris, Darren Lockyer (c), Cooper Cronk, Petero Civoniceva, Cameron Smith, Nate Myles, Sam Thaiday, Luke Lewis, Paul Gallen.
Interchange: Kurt Gidley, Anthony Watmough, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, David Shillington.
ENGLAND
Gareth Widdop, Tom Briscoe, Michaen Shenton, Ryan Atkins, Darrell Goulding or Ryan Hall, Kevin Brown, Sam Tomkins, James Graham (c), James Roby, Stuart Fielden, Gareth Ellis, Sam Burgess, Sean O'Loughlin.
Interchange from: Luke Robinson, Darrell Griffin, Ben Westwood, Joel Tomkins, Eorl Crabtree, Leroy Cudjoe
KIWIS
Lance Hohaia, Jason Nightingale, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Junior Sa'u, Manu Vatuvei, Benji Marshall (captain), Nathan Fien, Greg Eastwood, Thomas Leuluai, Adam Blair, Simon Mannering, Bronson Harrison, Jeremy Smith.
Interchange: Issac Luke, Ben Matulino, Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Frank Pritchard, Sika Manu, Sam Perrett.
