The Cronulla-bound forward Anthony Tupou has been hauled out of the Tongan team for the Rugby League World Cup to join Australia's squad in another twist to the tournament's slippery eligibility rules.
Tupou will replace Melbourne's Michael Crocker, who was ruled out of the tournament with a broken rib suffered in last Sunday's National Rugby League grand final loss to Manly.
Tupou has played six Tests for Australia but, after originally being overlooked by the Kangaroos, was only named on Thursday in a Tongan squad brimming with NRL talent.
The former Sydney Roosters second-rower would normally have required a clearance from the Rugby League International Federation to have switched allegiance to the country of his heritage.
