Trent Merrin feared his representative career was over before he was recalled to the Australian squad for the Four Nations.

Merrin was overlooked for NSW this season, a situation that led him to doubt himself and whether he would play State of Origin or Test football again.

The star Penrith back-rower has the chance to assert himself as a long-term rep player when he returns to Test football in the Kangaroos side for their match against the Kiwis in Perth on Saturday.