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Video: 'I was still blind from Mad Monday then' - Jason Taumalolo explains drama around Kiwis departure

November 12, 2017

Taumalolo said he didn’t want to tell Kiwis coach David Kidwell his decision to play for Tonga because he wasn’t completely sober at the time.

Mate Ma'a Tonga superstar Jason Taumalolo has shed some light on his late departure from the Kiwis, saying he didn't want to call Kiwis coach David Kidwell drunk to tell him the news.

Taumalolo told reporters after Tonga's historic 28-22 win over New Zealand yesterday he didn't feel comfortable contacting his former coach under the influence of alcohol having wrapped up his NRL season with a traditional team break up.

The NRL superstar had his tears wiped away by his aunty as he embraced her.

"I was still blind from Mad Monday then," the Cowboys enforcer said.

"Being drunk and handling phones doesn't go too well if you ask me and that's got me in some pretty bad situations so at the time."

Tonga came up with a remarkable comeback win over NZ, defeating the hosts 28-22 in Hamilton.

Taumalolo stunned the Kiwis camp when he declared the day before the Kiwis' World Cup squad was named he would instead commit to Tonga for this year's tournament.

Taumalolo said in the conference there is no bad blood between him and the Kiwis after his decision and that instead he would focus on the results at hand.

He said he will enjoy his team's win with a couple of brews with his Tonga team.

"Looking forward to a few beers," said Taumalolo.

Tonga is at the top of Pool B and remain undefeated for the tournament.

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