Jason Taumalolo and eight eligible Kiwis make secret pact to play for Tonga at RLWC
NEW Zealand’s World Cup campaign is in disarray with rugby league’s most damaging forward Jason Taumalolo leading an eight-man player revolt.
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NEW Zealand’s World Cup campaign is in disarray with rugby league’s most damaging forward Jason Taumalolo leading an eight-man player revolt.
Under-pressure coach David Kidwell was scrambling to stop leading Kiwis players defecting to rivals Tonga just ahead of naming their World Cup squad on Thursday.
The players’ unprecedented stance isn’t about money.
New Zealand players receive $30,000 just for pulling on the Kiwis jersey and can earn up to $50,000 by winning the World Cup final. Tonga can only afford to pay their stars $3000 for the entire tournament and a $30-a-day per diem.
Taumalolo, who last year signed a 10-year $10 million deal with North Queensland, was among a host of players — some eligible to represent Australia — who made a secret pact last week to represent Tonga instead of New Zealand.
Tui Lolohea (Wests Tigers), Solomone Kata (Warriors), Konrad Hurrell (Titans), Manu Vatuvei (Salford), Manu Ma’u (Eels) and David Fusitu’a (Warriors) are ready to walk away from the Kiwis and make themselves available for Tonga.
On Wednesday night, Sydney Roosters’ Sio Siua Taukeiaho, who has one cap for New Zealand, confirmed he will play for Tonga.
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And in a further twist, Sydney Roosters enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is fighting for his Kiwis Test career as he’s on the verge of being overlooked from New Zealand’s 24-man squad despite the upheaval.
Much of the player dissent is aimed at New Zealand coach Kidwell and his stance to overlook selecting Melbourne premiership-winning prop Jesse Bromwich and Gold Coast forward Kevin Proctor. The pair’s omission stems from breaking team protocol in the wake of the Anzac Test loss to Australia in May.
There is a belief from within the playing group that after being penalised a combined $40,000 and six club matches as part of their punishment, both Bromwich and Proctor should be chosen for the World Cup.
Cronulla’s Andrew Fifita also discussed being part of the pactand, after initial indications that he would stick with Australia, has chosen to join Taumalolo and forego more than $100,000 in possible match payments.
Former Australian Test players Michael Jennings of Parramatta and Sydney Roosters winger Daniel Tupou, as well as Canterbury fullback Will Hopoate, will all be named in Tonga’s 24-man squad.
But the coup is 2016 Dally M medallist Taumalolo, who ran more than 5000m this season in carrying North Queensland to the grand final.
“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,” Taumalolo said in a statement on Wednesday.
“I see with the new 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.”
Like Taumalolo, Hurrell, Vatuvei and Kata look certain to play for Tonga.
Tonga officials wanted a definitive decision from all the players by late Wednesday night, knowing they are due to name their squad 15 minutes before the Kiwis.
And adding to the drama, New Zealand will confront Tonga in a World Cup pool match in Hamilton on November 11.
One well-placed source said: “Put it this way, Tonga has set itself to beat New Zealand — big time — and then go on to meet Australia in the final.”
New Zealand will announce their 24-man squad today at 11am. Kiwi officials were last night desperately attempting to quell the drama before Thursday’s team announcement.
In a further blow for New Zealand, Storm premiership-winning back-rower Tohu Harris was ruled out due to injury and Kieran Foran is also unavailable.
Warriors hooker Issac Luke was to have been overlooked for selection but may be considered again if the eight players walk away.
Tonga coach Woolfe was last night ecstatic to have nabbed Taumalolo.
“It’s absolutely outstanding. We have always spoken about getting the best Tongan players playing for Tonga,” Woolfe said.
“To have a player like Jason make this decision, and be the first to do so, is a massive coup for our team and it will give a real confidence to everyone in it. It’s massive for everyone back in Tonga.”
Asked why Taumalolo made the decision, Woolfe said: “It’s all about him wanting to play for his family. He has always had a desire to play for Tonga while he is at his best.”