Dumped New Zealand backrower Kevin Proctor is in talks with new Test coach Michael Maguire as he dreams of an international return.
Proctor hasn’t played for his country since he and New Zealand teammate Jesse Bromwich were caught in a Canberra drug bust following the Anzac Test in May last year.
It cost him a spot in the side for last year’s World Cup, while his NRL club Gold Coast stripped him of the co-captaincy, fined him $20,000 and suspended him for four games.
The 29-year-old has been on a redemption path since and revealed on Tuesday he was among a group of players the former South Sydney premiership coach had consulted as they regroup from the side’s disappointing World Cup campaign.
New Zealand host Australia on October 13 in Auckland and Proctor would love to be there.
“I’ve been speaking to Madge a little bit,” the 17-Test veteran said.
“It’d mean the world; you get to right all your wrongs I guess, and put some pride back in the jersey.
“Getting back into the New Zealand side has always been a dream.”
The Titans are out of the finals hunt and now fighting to avoid the wooden spoon, giving Proctor three more games to press his case for a Test return.
“I’m always open-minded but I just want to finish the year off strong,” he said.
“No-one wants to finish last and it’s so close at the bottom there, if you lose the rest of the games you’re in trouble.”