North Queensland and Tonga star Jason Taumalolo says he intends to play in the 2021 World Cup in England despite the withdrawal of New Zealand and Australia.
Tonga stalwart and North Queensland star Jason Taumalolo says he intends to play in the 2021 World Cup in England despite the withdrawal of New Zealand and Australia and he expects his team-mates to follow suit.
Speaking via zoom at a North Queensland Cowboys press conference in Townsville on Tuesday, Taumalolo echoed the words of Tonga coach Kristian Woolf, the St Helens boss, who insisted at a time when the tournament hung in the balance his players were still committed to it.
“It’s obviously a tough one given the circumstances that’s happened around it and the situation that different countries have been put in,” said Taumololo. “I myself am still going over to play in the World Cup.
“It’s obviously disappointing to have Australia and New Zealand pull out but two countries pulling out doesn’t really hamper what the game is all about.
“It’s about international footy and getting other countries and nations ready to play each other.
“Obviously I can’t change anything, I’ve just got to roll with it I guess.”
Taumalolo, who won 10 caps for New Zealand from 2014-17, kick-started the Pacific revolution by switching his allegiance to Tonga in time for the last World Cup, prompting others like David Fifita and Tui Lolohea to follow suit.
The defections helped Tonga beat the Kiwis in the group stages and push England all the way in a tense semi-final in Auckland.
Tonga consolidated a top-four place in the world rankings with subsequent wins over Australia and Great Britain in 2019 and, in the absence of both the Kangaroos and the Kiwis later this year, will be among the favourites to lift the World Cup.
But, with several high-profile Australians and New Zealanders hinting at switching their allegiance, Taumalolo believes other nations will be capable of springing a surprise.
“It will be competitive,” he said. “I’m not sure what the players from Australia and New Zealand are going to do, with guys having heritage aligned to other countries.
“We’ll see if they return back to play for their heritage but it would make for a pretty interesting international set of fixtures to be honest.
“I really think you could see something special and we could see a few upsets too.”
The decision of the ARL Commission and New Zealand Rugby League to pull their teams out is thought to be the result of pressure from the NRL clubs but it is not expected to affect the five Australia-based England players.
One of them, South Sydney prop Tom Burgess, demonstrated his commitment to the tournament by putting his wedding plans on hold.
“You see how proud Tommy is to represent England,” Taumalolo said. “The end-of-the-year tournament will be a great example of guys who actually do want to represent their country.
“I’m part of it and I’m sure my teammates are part of it too. I guess it’s a different feeling when you pull on your international jersey and get to play for the people that you represent.
“Hopefully I get to do that again at the end of the year.”
Paul
Roar Guru
and you know this because? You're telling me out of the 380 odd players in the NRL, there won't be at least 25 or 30 players willing to play Test footy for their country?
The alchemist
Guest
2 players Paul?? You want them to have heaps of mates wanting to play but it's the last thing they want to do.
Paul
Roar Guru
Jason Taumalolo disagrees with you and so does Tom Burgess. I'm very sure they'd have plenty of mates wanting to play these "meaningless games", but V'landys didn't bother to ask them.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
Good on him.
Adam
Roar Guru
That's the ticket isn't it. Surely the powers to be should have allowed players to nominate to be selected initially to understand the player's interest levels
matth
Roar Guru
Yep, just throw it open and see who applies. There will be some NRL players who defy the ban, then there is QCup and NSAWE Cup and Aussies in the ESL.
The Alchemist
Guest
Paul the last thing players want to do is play in meaningless games after a long season
Tony
Roar Guru
Good for Jason
Paul
Roar Guru
I'm p******ed off the NRL made this call without talking to players. Such a shame a Players Association team can't be put together to represent Australia and the same for New Zealand. I'm guessing they'd each have no trouble finding 25 or 30 blokes happy to go and play.
Im Pi..sed off that the NZRL has decided not to go without any player consultation. Id rather a weak team there than no team at all. they could be all amatures as far as Im concerned.
Paul
Roar Guru
I'd love to see Samoa lift the World Cup. I'll bet there would be a lot of p***ed off Aussies and Kiwi players watching and wishing they were there, if that happens
Nat
Roar Guru
If this starts a trend, like Laui/To'o and co going over to rep for Samoa (among others) the ARLC might start to have second thoughts. You cannot keep saying it's for player safety if the players are making their own way over. I get that the clubs have sacrificed a lot in the last 2 years but they have to think bigger than themselves.
Paul
Roar Guru
The more guys who choose to go to England play in the World Cup, the more stupid the decision V'landys made to withdraw Australia. I'd love to see the other Test nations well represented with good quality NRL players.