Jason Taumalolo refuses to bite back at criticism of his World Cup switch

JASON Taumalolo has refused to bite back at criticism of his World Cup defection from New Zealand to Tonga.

JASON Taumalolo has refused to bite back at criticism of his World Cup defection from New Zealand to Tonga.

Kiwis captain Adam Blair and former captain Benji Marshall have taken swipes at the North Queensland Cowboys lock since his decision to play for Mate Ma’a last week, saying he’d betrayed the black-and-white jumper.

Taumalolo has turned his back on New Zealand.

He gave coach David Kidwell barely 48 hours notice of his choice. Born in Auckland to Tongan parents, the 2016 Dally M Medal winner said he chose Tonga to help develop the game in the Polynesian nation.

And, having arrived in Nuku’alofa on Thursday for a pre-Cup visit, he gave short shrift to the likes of Blair and Marshall.

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“Obviously I’ve caused a bit of media stir and all that, but at the end of the day, I’m here to play for my country and I’m looking forward to doing that,” Taumalolo told TVNZ.

“Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion.

“Everyone’s entitled to say what they want, but at the end of the day it doesn’t bother me — I tend to leave all the talking on the field.

Taumalolo is the best forward in the world.

“I wish in some way we could take the field soon, but I guess I’ll have to wait until we come across them on the battlefield.” Taumalolo — whose arrival in the Tongan capital was delayed by 24 hours due to an overloaded flight — said he was doing his parents proud by playing for Tonga.

Other players including Manu Ma’u, David Fusitu’a and Sio Siua Taukeiaho, have also elected to represent Tonga rather than the Kiwis, making them a credible World Cup contender.

Tonga’s World Cup opener is against Scotland in Cairns on October 29, before matches against Samoa and New Zealand in Hamilton.

Originally published as Jason Taumalolo refuses to bite back at criticism of his World Cup switch