For 24 hours, nobody could find Jason Taumalolo.

New Zealand coach David Kidwell heard rumours the North Queensland wrecking ball was going to switch allegiances to Tonga. He called him and texted him and nothing came back.

Team officials asked the Cowboys. No, he hadn't said anything to them.

They got on to Taumalolo's manager, Chris Orr, who didn't know either. Orr finally got on to his client and told them, yes, Taumalolo wasn't going to play for Kidwell's team but play for the Kingdom of Tonga instead.

Said Taumalolo in a statement: "I just feel the World Cup provides developing nations like Tonga an opportunity to play on the big stage and I would like to help them with their campaign."

Nobody seems to be buying it.

Most seem to think he's angry with the decision to ban New Zealand captain Jesse Bromwich and senior player Kevin Proctor from playing in the World Cup after they were busted snorting lines of cocaine off a drug dealer's iPhone, which they are not really designed for if you check the instruction manual.

Taumalolo's decision is being lauded as "brave" and "courageous" and a watershed move for international rugby league.

Let's call it for what it is: weak.

It damages the international game's reputation and given Australia are Winx-like odds to win the tournament it doesn't need the bad press. Representing your country is not your undies: you don't just change them whenever you want.

Taumalolo has given no indication in the past five months that he was going to play for Tonga. According to the Kiwis, he never said he was upset with the suspension of Bromwich and Proctor.

It's been suggested he was peeved about being benched for much of the second half in the ANZAC Test against Australia in early May. If he had concerns, why not raise them sooner?

Earlier this year, Taumalalo was happy to pose next to the World Cup trophy, draped in the New Zealand flag, to promote the tournament.

A change in international rules allows players eligible for a "tier-one nation" to play for a "tier-two nation".

But for Taumalolo to do it the day before Kidwell announced his squad, without having the gonads to at least call the coach let alone return his calls and tell him the score, is quite pathetic. There's nothing brave or courageous about that.

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga was slammed for forgetting to call Sam Thaiday to tell him he wasn't selected even when the rest of the known universe knew that Sam Thaiday wasn't going to be selected.

Former Kiwi captain Benji Marshall saw it for what was while being interviewed on New Zealand radio on Thursday morning.

"I just don't know what part of society has changed that you all of a sudden decide three weeks out from the World Cup you are not playing," Marshall told Veitchy on Sport.

"It's just a bit disrespectful to the jersey when you've been part of the team for a certain amount of time. If you really think that, the decision could have been made seven or eight weeks ago."

Marshall was talking about Taumalolo but he could've also been talking about David Fusitu'a, Sio Siua Taukeiaho and Manu Ma'u, who also pledged allegiance to Tonga as the team was being finalised.

And he could've been talking about Andrew Fifita, who on Thursday morning told Meninga that he too wanted to play for Tonga – three days after being picked for Australia.

Fifita was welcomed back into the Kangaroos fold earlier this year after his armband support of one-punch killer Kieran Loveridge. Now, he's snubbed them three weeks before the World Cup starts.

The more leading players play for minnows such as Tonga the better. Rugby league's strong Polynesian presence gives the code a unique opportunity to develop the international game.

But not like this.

There have been rumblings about player dissatisfaction with Kidwell since the mid-year Test, although most of those reportedly involved in a player revolt weren't going to be selected anyway.

Better judges than this one would know if Kidwell can coach or not. He was very keen on Mick Potter's job at the Wests Tigers when he was an assistant coach.

But he was a freight train for the Kiwis in the 25 Tests that he played; all fire and brimstone and sometimes the odd high tackle.

When he took over from Stephen Kearney as coach, he wanted his side to stand for something. So did highly respected chairman of selectors, Tawera Nikau.

When Bromwich, the captain, and Proctor, a senior player, are told it's time for bed after their side's substandard performance against Australia, and then they head back out, and then are caught on CCTV footage hoovering cocaine up their nose, and all of this a year after Kearney dropped six players for abusing prescription drugs on a night out, what else is the coach supposed to do?

Now Kidwell – if he keeps his job after the World Cup – and the NZRL need to show what they're made of once again: don't pick Taumalolo to play for his country again.

Cronk still silent

Storm halfback Cooper Cronk will meet with his manager, George Mimis, to discuss whether he will retire or play on with a Sydney club next year.

The speculation about Cronk already doing a deal with the Roosters is spinning out of control. They had a crack at him two years ago but we're assured nothing has been done.

Silent about future: Cooper Cronk. Photo: AAP

One punter was so convinced that South Sydney had snapped up him that he unloaded no less than $8500 on them to win the premiership with a series of bets in one day, slashing the price at TAB.com.au from $19 to $11.

"They are the only bets we've had on Souths to win the comp since the market opened a week before the grand final," TAB guru Glenn Munsie said.

Cronk is giving absolutely nothing away. Usually, this kind of stuff comes out during post-season drinkies but we're told Cronk has divulged nothing to his Storm teammates about his future.

Storm coach Craig Bellamy's next deal is also the source of much speculation. He's off contract at the end of next season but Melbourne officials want to secure him well before round one.

It's impossible to see him coaching at another club.

A few years ago, the Dragons were very close to securing him but he decided to stay at the Storm out of loyalty to his players. That and the massive deal from News Corp, who needed Bellamy to stay as they moved to sell the club.

Some close to the 58-year-old reckon he could retire. He once told this column his new five-year deal would be his last – in an interview in 2008. He's still going and looks more than ever like the game's genuine "supercoach".

Anyway … We're sure none of this will be on the agenda on Friday night when Storm players and staff continue to celebrate their premiership at their traditional party at the Richmond home of Molly Meldrum, who is a long-time supporter.

Sad passing

Our sincere condolences to FFA chief executive David Gallop, whose father, John, passed away last week at the age of 87.

The funeral for the former ACT Supreme Court and Federal Court judge was held in Canberra on Wednesday, and was attended by the likes of Frank Lowy and Canberra coach Ricky Stuart.

David recalled in his eulogy that the first game of rugby league his father ever took him to was Newtown's famous 1-0 win over St George at the SCG in 1973.

"It was a soccer scoreline," he said. "He even knew then where I would eventually end up."

Q&A: Milos Ninkovic

We speak to the Sydney FC star ahead of the A-League season opener against arch rivals Melbourne Victory at Etihad Stadium.

How many times have you watched a replay of the winning penalty you scored in the shootout against Victory in the grand final?

To be honest, yeah I watched but not that many times. It was unbelievable for me. Maybe that feeling can drive us this year. I want this feeling again, because it was unbelievable. I never miss a penalty but the last two before the finals I miss. I knew that I would score.

What did you do in the off-season? Did you go home to Serbia?

Because it was a long season, I went home to spend time with my family and friends. First month, I did nothing. After that, I started to do some training.

Title defence: Milos Ninkovic, right, with Alex Brosque, left, and Brandon O'Neill. Photo: AAP

Where would you suggest someone goes when they travel to Serbia?

It's a beautiful country, but if you want nice clubs Belgrade is the city. They go every day and they are very busy.

When you re-signed with Sydney FC in May you said you and your family loved Sydney. What do you like about it?

The people are very nice and the people are unbelievable. You can't be unhappy in this place.

I read that you're very religious. You don't eat meat on Wednesday or Friday?

To be honest, I feel much better as an athlete when I fast. I've been fasting for six, seven years. I started before the World Cup in 2010 and I felt great.

Big Mal gives his Roos a mouthful