Jason Taumalolo has revealed a close relationship with Tonga teammate Andrew Fifita has helped both players deal with the scrutiny regarding their shock switches from New Zealand and Australia.
The Cowboys lock turned his back on the Kiwis to represent Tonga at the World Cup, while Cronulla prop Fifita was named in the Australian squad before backing out to join Tonga.
"We haven't really spoken about it too much there was a lot of chat, it's died down a bit," Taumalolo said.
"But Andrew's been great company through what's happened."
Despite the hype Taumalolo and Fifita played just 20 minutes each in Tonga's 16-6 World Cup warm-up win against Italy in Far North Queensland on Friday night.
Both were solid; Fifita earned a huge cheer when he sent Italian defenders flying in the first hit-up of the match, while Taumalolo made plenty of metres despite two nervous knock-ons.
Tonga coach Kristian Woolf didn't want to burn out his two most damaging stars.
"Both those guys have played a lot of footy this year," Woolf said.
"I didn't want to leave them out there and flog them but it's good for them to get out, get some contact and be a part of the team."
Taumalolo will take on the team he walked away from on November 11, when Tonga travel to Hamilton to play New Zealand.
Last week's team bonding trip to Tonga has blown away any doubt the forward had about his decision.
"From the moment, we walked into Tongan camp it was all about Tonga and I'm just looking forward to it now," he said.
Tonga will open their Cup campaign against Scotland in Cairns on October 29.
