Quickie Kiwis stand firm
The full extent extent of the Kiwis snub by Tongan players has been revealed, with at least four players who might have worn black under captain Adam Blair joining star forward Jason Taumalolo in the red of Tonga.
David Fusitu’a, Sio Siua Taukeiaho and Manu Ma’u joined Taumalolo in the Tongan squad, while star Cronulla forward Andrew Fifita was too, even after being this week selected for Australia.
Brisbane Bronco Blair did not attend the team naming in Auckland, saying he had commitments in Australia as the 24 players he will lead were read out – five of them new caps.
He said it was
‘‘disappointing’’ Taumalolo was to play for Tonga, as did coach David Kidwell, who said Taumalolo had not consulted him before withdrawing two days before the team was named.
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 star forward Jason Taumalolo’s decision to switch his allegiance to Tonga for the tournament.
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.
Andrew Fifita has turned his back on Australia for the rugby league World Cup, joining Taumalolo in defecting to
Tonga. 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 FonuaBlake 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 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.
Meanwhile, New Zealand Rugby League chief executive Alex Hayton is standing by the decision not to select former captain Bromwich and Proctor.
Hayton refused to speculate on the reports.
‘‘I’ve seen a number of reports on why Jason has pledged and some of it is speculation but we certainly stand by the decision we made earlier in the year,‘‘ Hayton said.