Jason Taumalolo shocks the rugby league world by choosing to play for Mate Ma'a Tonga Featured
Jason Taumalolo
4 October, 2017. Cowboys lock Jason Taumalolo has dropped a Rugby League World Cup bombshell by choosing to play for Tonga after withdrawing from New Zealands’s World Cup squad.
Taumalolo released a statement this afternoon saying he made the decision to help the Tongan World Cup campaign and the development of rugby league in the country.
“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,” said Taumalolo.
“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 will always be proud to wear the Kiwis Jersey.
“I just feel the World Cup provides developing nations like Tonga and opportunity to play on the big stage and I would like to help them with their campaign.”
Reports have broken that Taumalolo made the decision following his apparent disappointment with Kiwis coach David Kidwell, who sacked champion Melbourne prop Jesse Bromwich and Gold Coast forward Kevin Proctor from the team for disciplinary issues stemming from this year’s Anzac Test.
Taumalolo, who ran for more than 5000 metres for the Cowboys in their run to last weekend’s NRL grand final, played for Tonga at the 2013 World Cup.
He will link with Woolf, who coached Taumalolo in the Cowboys under-20s for three years.
New Zealand play Tonga on November 11 at Hamilton’s Waikato Stadium, which will pit Taumalolo against his former Kiwi teammates.
-Townsville Bulletin
