Kiwis in crisis
JUNE 11: Jason Taumalolo drapes himself in the New Zealand flag to promote the Rugby League World Cup. OCTOBER 4: Taumalolo announces he’ll play for Tonga at the event.
Jason Taumololo features prominently in New Zealand colours for Rugby League World Cup promotions, but he has thrown the Kiwis’ preparations into disarray by choosing to play for Tonga.
The Kiwis were always going to need something special to win the World Cup but now need a minor miracle.
Only hours after it emerged that Melbourne premiership winner Tohu Harris would be ruled out with injury, Taumalolo dropped a selection bombshell by choosing to play for Tonga over New Zealand just three weeks out from the start of the tournament.
Both the Kiwis and Tonga name their respective squads today but Taumalolo has confirmed he will not be among the 24 names read out by New Zealand.
Back in June, he held up a New Zealand flag in a promotion for the World Cup and his photo in a Kiwis jersey also features on the cup’s website in advertising New Zealand’s clash against Tonga in Hamilton on November 11.
Arguably the best forward in the game, Taumalolo’s decision to turn his back on the Kiwis has heaped even more pressure on coach David Kidwell, who had already lost Kieran Foran to injury while former captain Jesse Bromwich and Kevin Proctor were stood down following the cocaine scandal in May.
The reported that Taumalolo’s decision was based around Kidwell’s unwavering stance towards the pair.
However, Taumalolo released a statement saying it was out of a
‘‘I have and will always be proud to wear the Kiwis jersey. I just feel the World Cup provides developing nations like Tonga an opportunity to play on the big stage and I would like to help them.’’ Jason Taumalolo
desire to help develop Tongan rugby league. ‘‘I really enjoyed my time within the Tongan World Cup squad last time and have had a long time association with Tongan Coach Kristian Woolf,’’ he said.
‘‘I just feel it’s time to give back and hopefully I can assist and inspire young Tongan players to chase their NRL goals.
‘‘I see with the international rule change an opportunity to represent both Tonga and NZ throughout my career. I have and will always be proud to wear the Kiwis jersey. I just feel the World Cup provides developing nations like Tonga an opportunity to play on the big stage and I would like to help them with their campaign.’’
Born in Auckland before moving to Townsville aged 14, the Cowboys wrecking ball represented Tonga at the 2013 World Cup before switching his allegiance to New Zealand the following year.
He has made 10 appearances for the Kiwis, including in this year’s Anzac test in Canberra. However, under changes to international eligibility rules made last year, players who qualify for more than one country can switch between tier-one and tier-two nations.
The move was designed to strengthen developing countries by encouraging players to represent the likes of Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and Papua New Guinea should they miss out on callups to New Zealand or Australia.
Instead, it has had the opposite affect on the Kiwis. It is a wonderful boost for Tonga, with Taumalolo, co-winner of the 2016 Dally M Medal, only enhancing his reputation as the NRL’s most destructive ball-runner this year.
With star halfback Johnathan Thurston and Kangaroos prop Matt Scott out injured, the 24-yearold carried the Cowboys forwards on his back, running for more than
5000m, as they defied the odds to reach the grand final only to lose to the Storm 34-6.
Harris played a key a role in the Storm’s success but it is understood he will miss the World Cup to work on his recovery from injury, while veteran Issac Luke is set to pay the price for a disappointing season with the Warriors.
Harris, who has signed with the Warriors for next year, had an injury-plagued start to the season, missing the opening two months with a broken foot before struggling with a shoulder complaint.
He bounced back with several stellar performances during the back-end of the year, including
making 43 tackles and laying on a try in Sunday’s grand final.
But the demand of another sixweek campaign with the Kiwis is expected to be too much as he focuses on getting healthy ahead of his move to the Warriors.
There appears to be no room in the squad for 37-test hooker Luke, with the selectors opting to go with Newcastle dummy-half Danny Levi, with cover likely to come from Thomas Leuluai.
Luke failed to find his best form this season.
The Kiwis head into camp on October 17 before opening their campaign against Samoa in Auckland on October 28.