Sydney Roosters forward Anthony Tupou has been called up to Australia's World Cup squad in place of Michael Crocker.
Not originally chosen in the Kangaroos' 24-man squad named earlier this week by coach Ricky Stuart, Tupou was subsequently named in Tonga's squad despite playing for Australia in the Centenary Test in May this year.
But with Crocker ruled out on Thursday after breaking a rib playing his final game for Melbourne in Sunday's grand final loss to Manly, Tupou has been rushed into Stuart's squad.
"Anthony Tupou's country of election is Australia," Australian Rugby League Chief Executive Mr Geoff Carr said.
"He has not applied to the Rugby League International Federation to change his country of election."
"Therefore as no application has been made, the only country Anthony is eligible to play for in the Rugby League World Cup is Australia."
Tupou, who will link up with Stuart again at Cronulla next year having also played under him at the Roosters, would have needed a Rugby League International Federation clearance to have been eligible to play for Tonga.
Crocker, who is headed to Hull FC in the English Super League for the 2009 season after gaining an early release from his contract with the Storm, drew high praise from Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy for his lion-hearted effort in the 40-0 loss to Manly.
"You just sort of summed it up, he's never beaten Michael, he just keeps trying until the end," Bellamy said.
"He played 80 minutes out there tonight and I came into the dressing room there after the game to get the players all together and he's lying there on the table with a busted rib. I don't know when he busted that but certainly wasn't late in the game."
"His performance against the Broncos was unbelievable, and his performance last week, he plays 80 minutes each week. He's been wonderful for our club, we're going to really miss him and he'll always be a big part of our history."
Not originally chosen in the Kangaroos' 24-man squad named earlier this week by coach Ricky Stuart, Tupou was subsequently named in Tonga's squad despite playing for Australia in the Centenary Test in May this year.
But with Crocker ruled out on Thursday after breaking a rib playing his final game for Melbourne in Sunday's grand final loss to Manly, Tupou has been rushed into Stuart's squad.
"Anthony Tupou's country of election is Australia," Australian Rugby League Chief Executive Mr Geoff Carr said.
"He has not applied to the Rugby League International Federation to change his country of election."
"Therefore as no application has been made, the only country Anthony is eligible to play for in the Rugby League World Cup is Australia."
Tupou, who will link up with Stuart again at Cronulla next year having also played under him at the Roosters, would have needed a Rugby League International Federation clearance to have been eligible to play for Tonga.
Crocker, who is headed to Hull FC in the English Super League for the 2009 season after gaining an early release from his contract with the Storm, drew high praise from Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy for his lion-hearted effort in the 40-0 loss to Manly.
"You just sort of summed it up, he's never beaten Michael, he just keeps trying until the end," Bellamy said.
"He played 80 minutes out there tonight and I came into the dressing room there after the game to get the players all together and he's lying there on the table with a busted rib. I don't know when he busted that but certainly wasn't late in the game."
"His performance against the Broncos was unbelievable, and his performance last week, he plays 80 minutes each week. He's been wonderful for our club, we're going to really miss him and he'll always be a big part of our history."
