Jason Taumalolo has decided to turn his back on New Zealand to represent Tonga at the World Cup, reports The Daily Telegraph.

Taumalolo is said to have defected after Jesse Bromwich and Kevin Proctor were stood down by coach David Kidwell over a cocaine bust in May.

Kieran Foran is also unavailable throwing the Kiwi’s World Cup campaign into disarray.

Tonga are also likely to include Michael Jennings, Will Hopoate, Tui Lolohea, Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Addin Fonua-Blake, Daniel Tupou, Sika Manu and Konrad Hurrell giving them enough strike to trouble the powerhouse nations.

More to come.