Jason Taumalolo of the Cowboys. Photo / Getty Images
League's most talented and sought-after young player has rejected overtures from Queensland and committed his future to New Zealand.
Jason Taumalolo, the 18-year-old Cowboys phenomenon, signed a declaration pledging his availability for the Kiwis on Wednesday.
NZRL high-performance manager Tony Kemp flew to Townsville to meet the Auckland-born former Otahuhu and Papakura junior after reports the budding superstar was on the verge of committing to Queensland.
"He's a Kiwi," Kemp said on Thursday from Townsville airport. "I'm in North Queensland now and he's signed a letter that he wants to play for New Zealand. I've met with his parents and met with Jason and he has no desire to play for Queensland whatsoever. He has never said that he wants to play for Queensland."
The 2011 Toyota Cup player of the year, Taumalolo has made a stunning entry into the NRL this season. A blockbusting forward with a physique and skill set that invite comparisons with Sonny Bill Williams, Taumalolo moved to Queensland four years ago as a 14-year-old. He has represented the Junior Kiwis for the past two years, however that didn't deter Queensland from making an intense effort to convince him to switch his allegiance to the state - and with it, Australia.
State of Origin selection rules dictate that all players must be available for Kangaroos selection.
Queensland media recently reported that Maroons coach Mal Meninga had met Taumalolo and his parents and convinced him to switch allegiance.
However Kemp rebutted those reports, insisting Taumalolo had always been rock solid in his commitment to the Kiwis.
"Mal and [NSW coach] Ricky [Stewart] are visiting a lot of Kiwi kids to try to get them, and that is an indictment of New South Wales and Queensland kids really," Kemp said. "To me, you are filling your side full of New Zealanders when you should be filling them full of New South Welshmen and Queenslanders."
A member of the 51-strong squad considered a possibility for international selection, Taumalolo could make his Kiwis debut as early as the April 20 Anzac test at Eden Park.
His reaffirmation of his Kiwiness is another major victory for the NZRL in an increasingly bitter battle for the allegiance of a wave of young Kiwi talent coming through the junior ranks of NRL clubs.
Last year alone, 459 registered league players left New Zealand to live in Australia. Not all of those play at the elite level, however last year the Toyota Cup squads of the 16 NRL clubs boasted 154 New Zealanders. When factoring in players born in Australia who identify as Kiwis and who have signed NZRL pledges, the number rises to 180.
Both Queensland and New South Wales are desperate to tap into that talent pool. The recent introduction of a U20s Origin series is a direct attempt to do just that, however Kemp insisted the move would fail as there was nothing to stop young Kiwis turning out for either state and later opting to play for New Zealand.
"They can still play for the Junior Kiwis at the end of the year. It is no different to Australia Schoolboys of NSW 16s or 18s. They have been picking Kiwis in those grades for a long time."
The NZRL has been no less aggressive than Queensland and New South Wales in its approach to recruitment. It holds frequents roots camps - where Kiwis legends meet promising young Australian-based players of Kiwi heritage - designed to make sure such players are aware of their options from an early age. That approach appears to be working with the likes of Australian-born Broncos stars Josh Hoffman and Gerard Beale committing to the Kiwis.
While Taumalolo's retention is a major victory, many other battles are still being waged. Taumalolo's Palmerston North-born Cowboys teammate James Tamou has reportedly made himself available for New South Wales after initially rejecting an approach by Stewart, while Auckland-born boom Bulldogs prop Sam Kasiano has reportedly declared his availability for Queensland.
Kemp, meanwhile, dispelled a rumour that Kiwis hard man Frank Pritchard was also considering switching his allegiance in an attempt to play for New South Wales this year. Born in Darlinghurst, the 21-test forward debuted for the Kiwis in 2005 but hasn't featured under Stephen Kearney since playing in a heavy defeat by Australia at Eden Park during the 2010 Four Nations.
"We've spoken to Frank," said Kemp, "and he is a Kiwi."