Willie Mason counts his blessings

Limited to just nine NRL games in 2005. Still four months away from full fitness.

No wonder Bulldogs forward Willie Mason was surprised to make the Australian Tri-Nations rugby league squad.

All but written off as a Tri-Nations chance thanks to a nagging foot injury, Mason admitted he was "lucky" to be selected for Australian squad.

"I didn't really expect to make the side," he said.

"If I played the whole year, played the semifinals and had a solid year I would expect to be in the side.

"But someone who played the back nine (games of the NRL season), didn't really set the world on fire and didn't make the semis.

"I wasn't sitting down yesterday saying `if I don't make this side I am going to be pissed off'.

"I was just going to wear it if I didn't ... but I love playing for Australia."

A brutally honest Mason said he wouldn't be fully fit until after the next pre-season.

"It would be 100 per cent after a full pre-season," he said at Australia's first training session in Sydney today.

"I couldn't do anything on my right leg (during his recovery), probably strength-wise I am a bit behind."

Asked if he was worried about aggravating the injury during Tri-Nations, Mason said: "It will be just the training load I've got to be careful about.

"But I feel I am ready to go. The first five weeks I was finding my feet again.

"It was like I hadn't even played a game of footy. The last four weeks were better and I am getting more confident on the field."

However, Mason still felt lucky to be picked ahead of Wests Tigers premiership prop Johns Skandalis.

"I am pretty good mates with Skando. I thought being in a grand final team, them winning ... I thought he would get a run - it's a shame he did,nt" he said.

Mason was told by a journalist he had enjoyed "an incredible run of luck" to make the Tri Nations squad.

"I know, thank you," he laughed.

"I've been copping a bit of flak, I've been reading in the papers that I shouldn't be in the side but it's really up to me to prove you blokes wrong - I can't wait to get out there.

"Jason Ryles and I were looking around at the calibre of players in this side, you do think ... you are very lucky to be here.

"Especially with Jesus, Andrew Johns, we call him Jesus, isn't even here yet."

Johns will return and join the Australian squad on the Sabbath, Sunday.