League: Tenacity wins Blair another shot with Kiwis

Adam Blair has plenty to laugh about now after enduring a lot of criticism for two seasons. Photo / Getty Images

Overpaid, over-rated and the worst signing in Wests Tigers' history.

Adam Blair was labelled all of those things over the past two seasons and it hurt. He wasn't used to that sort of criticism, having played all of his NRL career in AFL-mad Melbourne, so it is with a sense of satisfaction he is now seen as a principal reason for the Tigers' good early-season form and earned a recall into the Kiwis side for Friday night's Anzac test in Sydney.

Coach Stephen Kearney has assembled a largely young and inexperienced side to tackle Australia at Allianz Stadium, as he talks about building for the future. Blair is one exception.

At 28 and with 26 caps, the back-rower is not only the oldest but also the second-most experienced New Zealand player behind skipper Simon Mannering, who has played 35 tests. With 12 of the squad of 17 aged 25 or younger, there might be many of them who struggle to remember the last time New Zealand won the Anzac test - which was in 1998.

Blair never doubted he would get back in the Kiwis after a two-year absence.

"I always backed my ability and knew what I had to do to get back," he said. "I needed a few things to go my way at club level. The last two years have been really tough for me and my club. At the same time I never gave up on my goal of getting back in this team and playing for my country. It's a reward for the perseverance I showed and all the hard work. Things are finally paying off for me."

The move to the Tigers in 2012 came with financial rewards - he reportedly earns A$600,000 ($647,000) a season - but also high expectations. When Blair and the Tigers didn't live up to those, the former World Cup winner, three-time NRL grand finalist and two-time NRL All Star felt the brunt of it.

"I think I was an easy target for people to point the finger at," said Blair, who has enjoyed his move from the edge to the middle at the Tigers. "I hadn't stopped doing the little things I'm doing today for the side.

"I didn't think I was playing my best footy due to the fact I didn't have a specific role in the team. I backed myself and never gave up. I always tried my best and worked really hard on and off the field. I have a specific role this year that I have nailed down, and everyone else has, and we all seem to be doing it really well."

The spinoff is a recall to the Kiwis for his first test since 2012 and, among all the new faces, Blair feels one of them.

"It feels like a new beginning for me," he said. "I have been out of it for two years. It felt like my first day coming back into it and it's how it's felt all week. It's an opportunity to cement a spot in the squad, which is difficult. There is a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of kids who have an opportunity and who really want to make the most of it. It's a good thing. It's similar to what is happening at the Tigers, where no one gives you a chance and you go out there to prove people wrong. That's what we have on Friday night. We can win this game if we get our attitude right."