A hot topic leading up to the Rugby League World Cup was how heavyweight Jason Taumalolo faced an unexpected turn of events two days ago when he was offloaded from his team’s flight.
He was forced off the plane apparently because of “weight” issues.
Upon boarding on Sunday at the Sydney International Airport, the Cowboys star was denied boarding.
Taumalolo adhered to the directives but did board yesterday’s flight into Tonga.
Coach Kristian Wolf for one did not buy weight issue when Taumalolo was barred from the flight.
“They had to offload a couple of guys and unfortunately one of those was Jason”, Wolf told Sporting News.
But Taumalolo’s absence from the rest of the team’s arrival in Tonga did not stop the frenzied welcome prepared for them.
The NRL star along with Siliva Havili and team official, John Hopoate, arrived in the country yesterday and joined their team mates for today’s training.