BY ROSS HEPPENSTALL
Jason Taumalolo today reiterated his desire to play for Tonga at the Rugby League World Cup – despite the controversial withdrawal of Australia and New Zealand, the highest-ranked nations.
Rugby League World Cup chairman Chris Brindley said on Monday that the tournament’s organisers have held “constructive discussions” during an emergency board meeting.
The World Cup has been backed by the UK government by around £25 million and is due to be held in England in October and November.
But the Kangaroos and Kiwis pulled out last Thursday, citing concerns about player welfare amid rising numbers of Covid-19 cases in the UK.
Rugby Football League chairman Simon Johnson subsequently launched a scathing attack on the Kangaroos and Kiwis, describing their decision as “selfish, parochial and cowardly” and admitting the World Cup could now be scrapped altogether.
It remains to be seen if a solution can be found which will see the tournament go ahead this year, but Taumalolo believes it should be staged this year, even without Australia and New Zealand.
Tonga are ranked fourth in the world and the North Queensland Cowboys forward said: “I myself am all for flying to play in the World Cup.
“The decision is obviously a tough one given the circumstances around it and the situation that different countries have been put in.
“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. I can’t change anything but just got to roll with it, I guess.”
A stunning victory for Tonga over Australia in 2019 was labelled by Taumalolo as better than his 2015 grand final win with the Cowboys.
The giant forward has now gone all in to support international rugby league once again, saying the World Cup is still there to be played.
South Sydney Rabbitohs forward Tom Burgess has said he cannot give up the opportunity to represent England should the World Cup go ahead.
Taumalolo concurred, saying: “You see how proud Tommy is to represent and the tournament at the end of the year will be a great example of guys who do want to do that.
“I’m part of it and I’m sure my teammates are part of it too.
“It’s just a different feel when you pull on an international jersey and get to play for the people that you represent.
“Hopefully my teammates and I will all get the chance to do that at the end of the year.
“It will make for a pretty interesting international features, if you get different players returning back to play for their heritage.
“We could see something special and a couple of upsets too.”
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