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Benji Marshall slams Tamou allegiance switch
Confusing decision labelled 'joke'
GLENN JACKSON AND CHRIS BARCLAY Last updated 07:49 16/04/2012
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KANGAROO: North Queensland prop James Tamou has finally decided where his international future lies in rugby league.
Kiwis captain Benji Marshall has a strong message for Australian debutant James Tamou, who has turned his back on the Kiwis to play for his adopted country: ''We don't want him.''
Palmerston North-born Tamou was named on the Kangaroos' bench for the one-off test against the Kiwis at Eden Park on Saturday.
His decision to make himself eligible for Australia just five months after being a part of the Kiwis' Four Nations train-on squad has already sparked outrage in New Zealand. New Zealand official Tony Kemp labelled the prospect of Tamou playing against the Kiwis a ''joke''.
''I could throw things at them too, but I'm not going to,'' Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens responded.
''It's an honour to be selected to play for Australia, as it is to play for New Zealand. I don't think we need to get into a slanging match.''
He might have little choice though. While maintaining Tamou was entitled to his choice, it was clear Marshall felt uncomfortable about it, given Tamou was in the extended New Zealand squad prior to last year's tournament.
''Just listen to him talk and listen to his accent and tell me he's Australian,'' Marshall said.
''But hey, if that's where his heart is and that's where he wants to play, we don't want him to play for us. If he doesn't want to be part of our New Zealand team, good luck to him.''
When quizzed last November about ultimately playing test football for New Zealand, Tamou declared: "It's definitely a goal for me. It was exciting just getting a foot in the door with the train-on squad. Now I want to actually put that jersey on."
And after the Cowboys defeated Canberra on April 2 he claimed he would be upset if he wasn't picked by the Kiwis.
Yet after discussions with NSW State of Origin coach Ricky Stuart and captain Paul Gallen he had a change of heart.
''I've seen it happen before with guys,'' Marshall said.
''Maybe the thought of playing State of Origin got to him. At the end of the day, these guys are making 40-odd thousand [dollars] off playing State of Origin every year, whereas to play a test match, you probably get $3000. That money side of things might be luring him. If that's where his heart is, good luck to him. We don't want him.''
But Marshall said the Kiwis would not target Tamou for special treatment. That comes after they targeted Kiwi-born Rangi Chase, who played for England in last year's Four Nations. Hooker Issac Luke was suspended for a controversial tackle on Chase, after which he admitted he was trying to break the English player's leg.
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''We got caught in that trap with Rangi Chase last year,'' Marshall said yesterday. ''The last thing we need is to get caught in that again.''
Sheens said Tamou deserved his selection on form. ''His availability was handled by the commission, and he's eligible to play for Australia,'' Sheens said. ''He wants to play for Australia. Many other players have done the same thing. He was selected on form.''
Asked about the probable backlash this week in Auckland, Sheens said: ''I don't know what to expect. My job's to get the side ready to play. That's all I'll be concentrating on. If it's a talking point in New Zealand, let it be so. The lad's made his decision.''
Meanwhile, Tamou, who was named on the interchange bench, is one of two debutants - South Sydney Rabbitohs second rower Dave Taylor is the other newcomer to international football.
Melbourne Storm captain Cameron Smith assumes the leadership responsibilities from the retired Darren Lockyer while Johnathan Thurston slots into Lockyer's five-eighth position and Cooper Cronk is the new halfback.
In other changes to the Kangaroos side that beat England to win the Four Nations title, Justin Hodges replaces Chris Lawrence in the centres, Darius Boyd moves to the wing to accommodate the return of fullback Billy Slater -- and replace an injured Jharal Yow Yeh.
Gallen, who is usually a lock, starts at prop for the injured Matt Scott - a position he filled admirably for NSW in last year's Origin series.
Kangaroos: Billy Slater, Darius Boyd, Greg Inglis, Justin Hodges, Akuila Uate, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Paul Gallen, Cameron Smith, David Shillington, David Taylor, Sam Thaiday, Luke Lewis. Interchange: Daly Cherry-Evans, Ben Hannant, James Tamou, Anthony Watmough, Matt Gillett (18th man)
