Defecting players should be banned from Kiwis, says Graham Lowe
FORMER New Zealand Test coach Graham Lowe has demanded every player that defected to Tonga be banned from wearing the Kiwi jumper again.
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FORMER New Zealand Test coach Graham Lowe has demanded every player that defected to Tonga be banned from wearing the Kiwi jumper again.
In a scathing attack on the group of Kiwi World Cup hopefuls who jumped ship to suddenly ignite Tonga’s tournament hopes, Lowe declared: “Could you ever imagine an All Black doing this — it’s a bloody insult.”
As exclusively reported in The Daily Telegraph, eight players eligible for New Zealand turned their backs on the famous Kiwis jumper to play the World Cup with Pacific rivals, Tonga.
Their stance has shaken New Zealand Rugby League to its core. The Kiwis had to delay their team announcement so officials could find additional players.
New Zealand players Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys), Tui Lolohea (Wests Tigers), Solomone Kata (Warriors), Konrad Hurrell (Gold Coast), Manu Vatuvei (Salford), Sio Siua Taukeiaho (Sydney Roosters), Manu Ma’u (Parramatta) and David Fusitu’a (Warriors) made the unprecedented choice to represent Tonga.
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The Kiwis’ anger is ironic, given how Australia and New Zealand have used their financial clout over the years to raid Tonga and other Pacific nations.
Players made a pact to switch nations last week to represent their Tongan heritage, but also in protest at New Zealand coach David Kidwell’s decision to sack Jesse Bromwich and Kevin Proctor from the World Cup squad for mid-season disciplinary reasons.
The players’ decision has infuriated Lowe, New Zealand’s Test coach between 1983 and 1986, who called on the eight players to never be considered again for New Zealand.
“At a time of desperation, in a tournament which is a bigger jewel than Origin, these players have pulled the jewel out,” Lowe told The Daily Telegraph from Auckland.
“Cometh the hour, cometh the man, isn’t it? Well, the man is invisible. They don’t want to wear the New Zealand jumper … what’s wrong with them?
“They had their chance and have made their choice — and that’s it. They should never be considered again.
“Could you ever imagine an All Black doing this — it’s a bloody insult. The current All Blacks must be watching this and wondering what the heck is going on.”
Lowe stressed former New Zealand players who spilt blood for the jersey would be gutted by the decision of current stars.
“I’m going to a Kiwi reunion on Saturday and I guarantee the talking point will be about how many blokes don’t want to wear the Kiwi jersey,” Lowe said.
“Half the blokes at the reunion will be hobbling in on crippled knees, hands that you can’t shake properly because they are so withered with arthritis and broken bones — injuries from wearing that Kiwi jersey.
“They were guardians of the game for a period of time and they are perfectly entitled to think the current players are guardians now — and they’re not.
“What disappoints me greatly is that the players have left it until the 11th hour to tell anyone. They can still do well but it’s going to be big ask for New Zealand now.
“I have a big problem with them leaving it until the last minute.”
Lowe was particularly vitriolic about Taumalolo’s decision, which was the catalyst behind the mass exodus.
“It has left a dark mark on a great career,” Lowe said.
“He handled it very poorly. They must be under pressure these boys from somewhere.
“There are enough compromises made for players these days without letting them tell the selectors what they’re doing.
“The selectors pick the players, the players don’t tell the selectors when they want to play. It’s around the wrong way. It’s pretty ordinary.”
New Zealand’s chances of knocking off Australia now appear remote, although Kidwell attempted to remain upbeat.
“This is a unique opportunity, a World Cup in our country is a great honour and I can’t wait to get into camp and work this group of men and women who are all committed to the Kiwis,” Kidwell said.
“There’s a great mix of enthusiasm and experience in this side and a real desire to win this World Cup.
“I can’t wait to show the people around New Zealand all the work we have been doing and how committed we are to this campaign.”
Kidwell admitted Taumalolo’s deflection blindsided him.
“I haven’t had a conversation with Jason, a 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 myself and him would have been a good thing to do.
“I have had conversations with all the key players. As far as we were concerned, Jason was part of our World Cup team and to find out two days out ... that’s the disappointing thing, finding it out that late.
“We’ve made a number of phone calls, emails and texts — you’ll have to have a conversation with Jason there.
“Everyone’s going to have their own opinion (on it). We’re trying to build a new Kiwis spirit here and we’re not going to condone that behaviour.”