Meanwhile, Jason Taumalolo is the clear favourite with the fans - with hundreds camped out to grab a glimpse of their hero as the team touched down in Christchurch ahead of the quarter-final on Saturday.
Taumalolo turned down earning a five-figure sum to play for the Kiwis and instead pick up just $30 a day with Tonga to honour his family at the height of his career.
The world's best forward was slammed for leaving the Kiwis in the lurch after announcing he would play for Tonga just 48 hours before David Kidwell announced his 24-man squad and was accused by Kiwis captain Adam Blair of disrespecting the black and white jersey by failing to front up and explain himself.
The North Queensland lock admitted he had regrets about the way the drama unfolded.
The Auckland-born destroyer also dispelled rumours he had abandoned the Kiwis in protest of Kidwell's decision to ban former test captain Jesse Bromwich and back-rower Kevin Proctor after they were caught using cocaine in the early morning hours following New Zealand's Anzac test defeat to Australia in Canberra.
"I'm totally behind Kiddy's decision," he said.
"I don't take drugs and I don't condone it either so I stand by his decision."
