Jason Taumalolo may never play for New Zealand again
NEW Zealand hierarchy have warned Jason Taumalolo he may never be chosen again as the Kiwis prepare to unleash on the Tongan turncoat.
NRL
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NEW Zealand hierarchy have warned Jason Taumalolo he may never be chosen again as the Kiwis prepare to unleash 200cm giant Nelson Asofa-Solomona on the Tongan turncoat.
Cowboys wrecking-ball Taumalolo will on Saturday confront the Kiwi teammates he sensationally snubbed when New Zealand and Tonga square off in a World Cup grudge-match at Waikato Stadium.
Taumalolo dropped a bombshell on the eve of the World Cup last month when he handed back his Kiwi jumper to defect to Tonga amid reports of a rift with New Zealand coach David Kidwell.
Kidwell slammed Taumalolo for failing to notify him and privately several New Zealand players are filthy on the Dally M star over his perceived disrespect for the famous Kiwi jumper.
Now, Taumalolo faces a 454kg barrage from Kiwi quartet Asofa-Solomona (120kg), Martin Taupau (112kg), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (108kg) and the man replacing him in the No. 13 jumper, skipper Adam Blair (114kg).
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Kiwi selection boss Tawera Nikau says the squad has come to terms with Taumalolo’s decision, but admits there is no guarantee he will be welcomed back to the New Zealand fold.
“As selectors, we’ll be showing loyalty to the guys who do the job for the New Zealand jumper,” said Nikau, the legendary former Kiwi lock.
“We would never totally rule out anyone for selection, but whether Jason plays again depends on how the current guys are performing.
“Some of us were really disappointed at the time Jason chose Tonga and Adam Blair was vocal about it.
“We’ve moved on and focused on the job at hand, but there’s no doubt there will be some feeling in this game.
“It could be the game of the tournament.”
Asofa-Solomona played a key role in Melbourne’s tactical blueprint which muzzled Taumalolo in last month’s NRL grand final.
The Storm’s big boppers held Taumalolo to 101m – his worst output of the season – and the Kiwis will look to Asofa-Solomona’s impact off interchange to halt Tonga’s most destructive forward.
At 191cm and 113kg, Taumalolo is 9cm shorter and 7kg lighter than Asofa-Solomona.
Tonga coach Kristian Woolf scoffed at suggestions New Zealand’s forwards would seek revenge for Taumalolo walking out on the Kiwis.
“It’s very difficult in today’s game to target blokes,” Woolf said.
“I really don’t know what New Zealand feel towards Jason.
‘‘It’s not an issue for us.’’