Kidwell wants some respect
Kiwis coach David Kidwell has accused Jason Taumalolo of a lack of respect after his controversial decision to switch allegiance to Tonga.
Taumalolo - rated the best forward in world league - opted to play for Tonga at the Rugby League World Cup after 10 caps for the Kiwis.
Kidwell told the Brisbane Courier Mail newspaper that Taumalolo’s actions still rankled and he said there were no guarantees the North Queensland Cowboys star would play for the Kiwis again.
His comments are sure to add fuel to the fire when the Kiwis face Tonga in Hamilton on November 11.
‘‘The issue I have is I would have liked Jason to tell me to my face [that he was switching to Tonga],’’ Kidwell said.
‘‘I can understand why he wanted to play for Tonga and represent his heritage. but I just wished he showed me some respect.
‘‘I found out that he wanted to play for Tonga from a third party. He never told me - I still haven’t heard from him or spoken to him.
‘‘I’m not going to have any illfeeling towards Jason but if he explained things to me, I would have at least sat down and said, ‘OK, what are your reasons?’.
‘‘I would never step in someone’s way of representing another country if that player doesn’t feel connected to the New Zealand jumper.
‘‘I have 24 guys in this team now who feel they belong to the Kiwis and will play for the jumper. That’s the attitude I want,’’
Kidwell said.
The Courier Mail said it was understood some Kiwis players were ‘‘bitterly disappointed’’ with Taumalolo.
Kidwell admitted he still did not know ‘‘why he doesn’t want to play for us’’.
‘‘If he has an issue with me, I’m not aware of it. I coached Jason when he was in the Junior Kiwis.
‘‘If there is an issue, I just wanted him to see me and tell me how he was feeling. I’m an open book. I’m not closed. I’d like to think I have a mindset where I listen to people.
‘‘It won’t be up to me whether Jason plays for New Zealand again. It won’t be the selectors either.
‘‘It will be players. I’m trying to shape our culture at the moment and they are the ones driving it.’’