Tongan coach Kristian Kristian Woolf has hit back at critics of Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita’s defections ahead of the World Cup saying that his side was used to players going the other weay.

“We understand it. We’re very accustomed to it. There are usually three or four late call-ups for us,” Woolf wrote for the Players Voice.

“Every one of our players and support staff understand and support those players when it goes the other way. It has surprised me how little consideration seems to have gone into the reverse situation.”

Meanwhile Welsh winger Regan Grace admits teammates and friends have tried to put the fear into him about Wales’ trip to Papua New Guinea for their World Cup Group match in Port Moresby.

Stories of the rugby league-mad Papua New Guinean fans are legendary but that won’t stop the St Helens flyer from enjoying the experience.

“People have told me loads of stories trying to scare me,” Grace said.

“I’d rather go and find out what it’s like for myself but lot of them are saying the same things so it can’t be too far from the truth.

“Not many people get to go to these corners of the world and I’m getting to do it for my job.”