Melbourne forward Ryan Hoffman swears he wasn’t ticked off even when the goal he’d set himself wasn’t.

Hoffman admits playing representative rugby league again was his main mission when he made a surprising return from England to the NRL this season.

Snubbed for the NSW State of Origin team by Ricky Stuart despite a stellar year, Hoffman has finally been rewarded with rep selection – for Australia’s Test against New Zealand in Townsville next week.

But he bears no ill will to Stuart and Origin selectors – the 28-year-old saying he knew he was doing all he could, and that different selection panels have different requirements.

“I was very confident in my ability. I knew I still had the ability to play rep footy – and that’s why I came back to Australia to be honest,” Hoffman said.

“It just comes down to consistent performance, and what the selectors want.

“When it comes to rep footy, you’ve just got to make sure you’re playing consistently well and you’re happy with what you’re doing.

“I have been. If it wasn’t what the selectors were looking for, I understand that.

“To be back and given that opportunity, I’m looking forward to repaying the faith of selectors.”

Hoffman has only played four Tests and hasn’t played rep rugby league since 2009, when he played for Australia against France.

Coming just days after winning the grand final with the Storm, Hoffman is hoping to cap off a massive fortnight as he lines up alongside fellow Melbourne premiership stars Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater for Australia.

They will take on Storm’s Kiwi duo Kevin Proctor and Jesse Bromwich.

Hoffman and his teammates continued their week of celebrations with a civic reception for the Storm at Melbourne’s Crown Casino on Wednesday.

The team will celebrate with No.1 ticket-holder Ian “Molly” Meldrum at a private function on Thursday, before the club’s player of the year awards on Friday.

Hoffman and halfback Cronk are favourites to win the club’s highest individual award.