Quickie Kiwis standing firm
Kiwis coach David Kidwell has spoken of his disappointment at not being able to speak to Jason Taumalolo before or after his shock decision to turn his back on the Kiwis and play for Tonga at the World Cup.
Kidwell and the New Zealand selectors were left scrambling just minutes before announcing their 24-man squad on Thursday as three other players in Kiwis contention - David Fusitu’a, Sio Siua Taukeiaho and Manu Ma’u - followed Taumalolo’s lead by switching their allegiance to Tonga.
The drama was not confined to the Kiwis, though, with prop Andrew Fifita also withdrawing from the Kangaroos squad to join the Tongans.
Taumalolo’s decision blindsided the Kiwis camp, with Kidwell only learning of the switch two days ago through a third party. Convenor of selectors Tawera Nikau spoke with the Cowboys wrecking ball after Sunday’s grand final and he gave no indication that we was about to jump ship.
Despite numerous attempts to contact Taumalolo since Wednesday’s bombshell, Kidwell confirmed Taumalolo had yet to respond to his calls.
‘‘I haven’t had a conversation with Jason, face-to-face or on the phone,’’ Kidwell said.
‘‘I think that’s the most disappointing thing. I respect his decision but I think a conversation between him and myself would have been a good thing to do.
‘‘It’s entirely up to him and we respect that decision. But we’ve got to focus on the guys that have put their hand up and want to play in the jersey.’’
The punishment handed down to Jesse Bromwich and Kevin Proctor over the cocaine scandal following the Anzac test in May was blamed by Australian media for Taumalolo’s decision to switch his allegiance to Tonga.
The Daily Telegraph reported Taumalolo was leading a host of players - some eligible to represent
Australia - who made a secret pact last week to represent Tonga instead.
Bromwich and Proctor were penalised $40,000 and suspended six club matches combined, and the playing group believed that was punishment enough, according to the Telegraph.
Fifita has turned his back on Australia for the rugby league World Cup. Other big names to turn out for the island kingdom in the side named today were David Fusitu’a, Michael Jennings, Solomone Kata, Tuimoala Lolohea and Manu Ma’u.
The Kiwis new caps were Nelson Asofa-solomona, who last weekend helped the Melbourne Storm win the NRL grand final, prop Addin Fonua-blake from the Manly Sea Eagles, Newcastle hooker Danny Levi, Sydney Roosters forward Isaac Liu and Brad Takairangi, a utility player at Parramatta Eels.
Kiwi coach David Kidwell said the Kiwis were looking for a big wave of support for the ‘‘new Kiwi spirit’’.
‘‘The key is the ‘we’. That is what a true team is, that is what a family is. We need our country to get behind us and believe we are going to get to the top of the world.’’
Asked if the squad was finalised an hour before it was named, Tawera Nikau gave a big grin. Nikau said ‘‘We want players who want to play for the black jersey, we want players that are 100 percent committed.’’
Captain Adam Blair, who joined the announcement via telephone due to family commitments in Australia, said it was a ‘‘massive privilege’’ to lead the side,’’ he said. ‘‘What’s happened, has happened.’’
On Wednesday night, Sydney Roosters’ Sio Siua Taukeiaho, who has one cap for New Zealand, confirmed he will play for Tonga.