Jason Taumalolo snubs Kiwis to play for Tonga

COWBOYS freak Jason Taumalolo has dropped a bombshell on New Zealand, announcing he will play for a rival country at the world cup.

NEW Zealand’s World Cup campaign is in disarray after superstar prop Jason Taumalolo announced his intent to defect to Tonga.

According to a report, Taumalolo, has already told the New Zealand Rugby League he will not be involved in their World Cup campaign and will instead play for Tonga.

Taumalolo’s player agent Chriss Orr confirmed the move in a statement where Taumalolo explained his last-minute switch.

“I really enjoyed my time within the TonganWorld Cup squad last time and I have a long time association with Tongan coach Kristian Woolf,” Taumalolo 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 new international rule change an opportunity to represent both Tonga and NZ throughout my career. I have and always will 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.”

A statement from Jason Taumalolo's agent, Chris Orr: pic.twitter.com/Sm6jOhQekz

— Andrew Gourdie (@AndrewGourdie) October 4, 2017

Taumalolo made his international rugby league debut with Tonga in 2013 before representing the Kiwis at the 2014 Four Nations.

The 24-year-old superstar played for the Kiwis during their loss to Australia in the mid-season Test Match in Canberra and his change of heart is a hammer blow to New Zealand’s chances of challenging Australia at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.

New Zealand’s world cup campaign is on its knees.

In an embarrassing coincidence for the Kiwis, they will now have to play against Taumalolo when they play Tonga during the group stage of the world cup on November 11 at Waikato Stadium.

Taumalolo’s shock exit comes after the Kiwis have already lost a host of star players for the tournament, including playmaker Kieran Foran.

The Kiwis will also be without star forwards Jesse Bromwich and Kevin Proctor, who were stood down from international honours by the New Zealand Rugby League following their alleged involvement in a cocaine incident earlier this season while representing the New Zealand national team.

BREAKING: champion forward Jason Taumalolo has pulled out of Kiwi World Cup side to play for Tonga. details @telegraph_sport ASAP

— BUZZ ROTHFIELD (@BuzzRothfield) October 4, 2017

The Daily Telegraph reports Taumalolo’s decision to walk out on New Zealand is directly linked to coach David Kidwell’s decision to overlook Bromwich and Kidwell from the New Zealand world cup squad.

The revolt against Kidwell leaves New Zealand in a difficult position less than four weeks out from their world cup campaign opener against Samoa on October 28.