Willie Mason to be named in Kangaroos train-on squad

WILLIE Mason's scrapheap resurrection is set to continue with selection in the Australian train-on squad.

Willie Mason

WILLIE Mason's scrapheap resurrection is set to continue with selection in the Australian train-on squad.

While Mason is a long-shot to join the Kangaroos for their 13 October Test against New Zealand, he's fast firming to represent the Prime Minister's XIII in Papua New Guinea next month.

The reborn prop's surprising form surge at Newcastle has caught the attention of national selectors, who will name the first instalment of train-on squad members from non-finalist clubs straight after round 26.

Newcastle's season will be effectively finished should they not upset Manly at Brookvale this afternoon, putting Mason in line for a shock representative recall within the next fortnight.

"You can't ignore the form Willie has displayed since joining Newcastle and regaining match fitness," a source close to the selection panel said.

"He's now going as well as just about any prop and wouldn't look out of place in the train-on squad."

Fresh from his best performance yet against the Sharks on Monday night, the 32-year-old promised to relish the opportunity to delay his end-of-season break for the Kumuls clash in Port Moresby on 23 September.

"Any green and gold jersey is an honour and I'd be stupid not to put my hand up for it," Mason said.

Selection would cap a remarkable rise for Mason, who joined the Knights on a meagre match payment contract in April after the 15 other clubs snubbed his services.

He's now poised to ink a two-year extension worth more than $500,000.

"All that adversity - people saying I couldn't make it back - I thrive off that stuff," Mason said. "It's the right environment up here in Newcastle with (coach) Wayne Bennett. He lets me have fun. He knows that if I interact with the fans on the bench it's not going to affect my game."

Meanwhile, Kangaroos co-captain Paul Gallen has allayed fears he could miss the Kiwis fixture in Townsville.

The Sharks skipper has been unable to run at training since injuring his knee during the Origin series and went into last night's Souths clash on another limited preparation.

But despite also struggling with abdominal and hip complaints, he does not require any end-of-season surgery.

"I've got no drama with keeping myself fit for the Test," Gallen said.