Backline star Brent Tate still gutted at omission from Rugby League World Cup final

IN AN age when most athletes mask their emotions, veteran centre Brent Tate remains a credit to the lost art of honesty.

IN AN age when most athletes mask their emotions, use cliches to hide personal pain and often refuse to even discuss heartache, Brent Tate remains a credit to the lost art of honesty.

The feeling that shuddered through his ageing body when Tim Sheens told him he missed selection for the World Cup final at Old Trafford haunts the North Queensland Cowboy.

"Mate, I'm not going to lie to ya… it was very disappointing. I was bitterly disappointed actually," he told The Courier-Mail.

"You set yourself goals to play in those big games… and yeah I can't lie about it… I was really disappointed."

Cameron Smith and Brent Tate train with the Kangaroos.

Tate has reason to be shattered - his Australian career has been plagued by bad luck.

His last World Cup ended in disaster. While neck injuries nearly ended his career in the mid-2000's, a quad strain rubbed him out of the 2008 decider that New Zealand famously won at Suncorp Stadium.

He hoped to gain redemption in the Four Nations final in 2010 only to rupture his anterior cruciate ligament in the first half as New Zealand shocked the host nation again in Brisbane.

The recent World Cup final, in which the Kangaroos exacted revenge on the Kiwis, was supposed to be the one he celebrated.

But Jarryd Hayne's sublime form halted those dreams.

Brent Tate at a Kangaroos' recovery session. Picture: Gregg Porteous

The ultra-competitive Tate debuted for the Kangaroos back in 2002, but at 31-years-old, the right centre is now rated behind Jarryd Hayne and Greg Inglis in the eyes of Australian coach Tim Sheens.

Hayne starred when picked ahead of Tate at right centre for the 62-0 quarter-final victory over the USA Tomahawks.

Another standout game against Fiji ensured the fairytale Tate had yearned for would remain a day-dream only.

Brent Tate trains with the Kangaroos.

Realistically, the 31-year-old has a major fight on his hands to wear the green and gold again.

Tate concedes his touring days are finished, but as always, he will keep fighting.

"I was aware beforehand that was my last trip over there. There are no grudges," he said.

"That's the way it goes. I don't have any regrets about it. It wasn't to be.

"There's not much you can do. They went a certain way and didn't include me.

"I did everything I could in preparation to play.

"There are a lot bigger and more pressing issues in life."

Tate will return to Cowboys training in mid-January.