League: Kiwis united by 'special' team spirit and belief, says Nightingale

Jason Nightingale says the spirit and belief within the Kiwis over the past 12 months has been sky-high. Photo/Getty.

Jason Nightingale thought he had seen it all in a Kiwis jersey.

One of the longest serving players in the current squad, Nightingale made his debut in May, 2008.

Of the current roster, only Adam Blair and Shaun Kenny-Dowall pre-date the Dragons winger.

Over that time he's experienced the jubilation of the 2010 Four Nations final, when his try was part of a memorable Kiwis comeback at the death. He was also a key member of the 2011 Four Nations team which crashed spectacularly, only beating Wales as they lost to England and Australia by heavy margins.

Nightingale was part of the 2008 World Cup campaign - a triumph that signaled a new era - and also the 2013 tournament, which felt like the end of one.

He's been through some wonderful highs, and some awful lows - but he has never encountered such a spirit and belief in a Kiwis environment as he has experienced over the last 12 months.

"The feeling we have had in this team in the last few campaigns - it's quite special," said Nightingale.

"It's a feeling of confidence and belief, no matter who it is that is wearing the jumper. We are a team, much more than individuals."

That hasn't always been the case. In the past the withdrawal - whether through injury, suspension or other reasons - of certain high profile players might cast doubt over the squad. But this side has coped with the loss of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Issac Luke and Thomas Leuluai (before or during the 2014 Four Nations) and then Jason Taumalolo before this year's Anzac test.

"We need to appreciate that we are just the person wearing the jersey at the time," said Nightingale. "There is probably an element of it being bigger than the person."

It's down to the culture that Stephen Kearney and his management team have created, implemented by the leadership group. For Nightingale it started with the Heritage camp at the beginning of the 2014 season, closely followed by the Anzac test where a young inexperienced team pushed the Kangaroos to the limit.

"We had initiated `the Kiwi way' earlier that year at the Heritage camp," said Nightingale.

"It's a commitment that we have made and the positivity and belief we gained out of it is testament to where we were going and where we want to stay."

Remaining on top will be the responsibility of the next generation, something Nightingale wants to help guide. He's not ready to retire yet - at 29 he has more football to play- but realizes there are more yesterdays than tomorrow's in his Kiwis career.

"We all understand what a privilege it is to wear this jersey and people like myself, Adam [Blair] and Sam Moa, the guys in their late 20s, we know we only have a short time left wearing this jersey. We need to make sure that what we have created over the last 18 months is passed down and taught to the people that come after us."

One lesson Nightingale could pass on is perseverance. He hasn't always been first choice - and doesn't have blinding pace, fearsome size or a massive step - but he has never let the Kiwis down.

He's scored 14 tries in 24 games - only a handful of players have scored more - and has a knack of touching down in important games, with five in his last four games against Australia and England.

"Jason has been great for us for a long time now,"said Kearney. "You don't need to tell anybody in the group how valuable he has been."

# Autex - Proud sponsors of New Zealand rugby league since 1981