The Kiwis captain Adam Blair and former captain Benji Marshall have taken a swipe at the North Queensland Cowboys lock since his decision, saying he'd betrayed the black-and-white jumper.
Taumalolo says he chose Tonga to help develop the game there.
He arrived in Nuku'alofa on Thursday for a pre-Cup visit, he gave short shrift to the likes of Blair and Marshall.
"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.