Kiwis set for Taumalolo showdown

THE Kiwis hierarchy has warned Jason Taumalolo he may never be chosen again as New Zealand prepares to unleash 200cm giant Nelson Asofa-Solomona on the Tongan turncoat.

When NZ and Tonga square off in a World Cup grudge match at Waikato Stadium tonight, Cowboys wrecking-ball Taumalolo will confront the Kiwi teammates he sensationally snubbed.

Taumalolo dropped a bombshell on the eve of the World Cup last month when he handed back his Kiwi jumper to defect to Tonga amid reports of a rift with NZ coach David Kidwell.

Now Taumalolo faces a 454kg barrage from Kiwi quartet Asofa-Solomona (120kg), Martin Taupau (112kg), Jared WaereaHargreaves (108kg) and the man replacing him in the No.13 jumper, skipper Adam Blair (114kg).

Kiwi selection boss Tawera Nikau says the squad has come to terms with Taumalolo’s decision, but admits there is no guarantee he will be welcomed back to the NZ fold.

“As selectors, we’ll be showing loyalty to the guys who do the job for the New Zealand jumper,” he said.

“We would never totally rule out anyone for selection, but whether Jason plays again depends on how the current guys are performing.

“Some of us were really disappointed at the time Jason chose Tonga and Adam Blair was vocal about it.

“We’ve moved on and focused on the job at hand, but there’s no doubt there will be some feeling in this game.”

Asofa-Solomona played a key role in Melbourne’s tactical blueprint that muzzled Taumalolo in last month’s NRL grand final.

The Storm’s big boppers held Taumalolo to 101m – his worst output of the season – and the Kiwis will look to Asofa-Solomona’s impact off the bench to halt Tonga’s most destructive forward.