Woolf hits back at Taumalolo critics

The Tonga coach Kristian Woolf has hit back at critics of former Kiwis and Kangaroos players Kiwis Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita for choosing to play for Tonga at the Rugby League World Cup.

The pair's move to shun New Zealand and Australia has earned mixed responses from both sides of the Tasman, as they joined the likes of New Zealanders Manu Ma'u, Sio Siua Taukieaho and David Fusitu'a at Tonga.

The former Kiwi captain Benji Marshall claimed Taumalolo's decision was "disrespectful", while Cooper Cronk said Fifita's move to change allegiances after being named for Australia was "poor".

But in a column on Players Voice, Woolf said that was the kind of situation he had grown accustomed to after Tonga had long had to deal with players leaving their squad to join top-tier nations.

Ironically, the exact same situation had happened in May when Cronulla's Fifita was originally listed to play for Tonga in the representative round against Fiji, but joined the Kangaroos team for the mid-year Test against the Kiwis when Aaron Woods pulled out injured.

"We understand it. We're very accustomed to it. There are usually three or four late call-ups for us," Woolf wrote.

"Every one of our players and support staff understand and support those players when it goes the other way.

"It has surprised me how little consideration seems to have gone into the reverse situation."

Woolf also defended the star-studded selection of his squad, claiming all but one of his 24 NRL and English Super League representatives had played for Tonga before turning out for any other country.

Along with the five players who chose Tonga over top-tier nations, former NSW State of Origin stars Will Hopoate, Daniel Tupou and Michael Jennings will also join Kiwi veteran Manu Vatuvei in the team.

Woolf said each of those players should be applauded, not criticised, for their decisions and launched an impassioned defence of Taumalolo, who he coached at North Queensland in the under-20s in 2010 and 2011.

"Jason has copped a lot of flak for his so-called lack of communication during this process. I don't buy that," Woolf said.

"From my point of view, if he was making calls on his international future during the NRL finals, he would have been doing the wrong thing by the Cowboys.

"His coach would've had every right to be filthy with him."

Tonga will play New Zealand in Hamilton on November 11 in what promises to be one of the fieriest games of the tournament.