Australia captain Cameron Smith has revealed it was during Melbourne’s loss to Cronulla in their grand final “rematch” a month ago that he realised Andrew Fifita was a changed man.

Six months after considering leaving the game, Fifita will complete a stunning career turnaround when he starts for the Kangaroos in Friday’s Test against New Zealand.

Fifita was given a warm welcome by the skipper following his recall from Test exile to replace the injured Aaron Woods.

It came after he was not considered for Australia’s successful Four Nations campaign last year due to his on-field show of support for one-punch killer Kieran Loveridge.

“I’m very comfortable with Andrew being back in the side. He’s done his time as such, when he missed out on the Four Nations campaign,” Smith said in Canberra on Monday.

“That would’ve hurt missing out on that campaign because he played extremely well last year. But he’s paid his dues now and playing exceptional football again this season.”

Smith said he saw a change in Fifita during the Storm’s tense loss to the Sharks, when Fifita carried the ball for 130 metres, broke four tackles, and offloaded twice.

But it wasn’t his numbers that Smith was most impressed with.

“We played against Cronulla this year already and I saw a change in his persona on the field, to be honest. All he was worried about was doing his job for his team and nothing else,” he said.

“His focus was carrying the ball strong, which is his best asset, and getting his job done in defence.

“He wasn’t worried about sledging or anything else outside of what he needed to do.”

Smith said Fifita, who was eventually fined $20,000 by the NRL and issued a breach notice for wearing a support message for Loveridge on his wrist strapping, had learnt his lesson.

“He had a lesson to learn and I think he’s learnt that lesson,” he said.

“I think he’d be very grateful that he’s back in a Kangaroos jumper because it’s something that needs to be revered. It’s not just something that’s handed out to anyone.”