Tonga coach Kristian Woolf says he played no part in convincing Jason Taumalolo to play for the island nation at this year's Rugby League World Cup.
Taumalolo dealt New Zealand's World Cup hopes a massive blow when he confirmed on Wednesday he would represent Tonga.
A number of other players, including Kangaroos prop Andrew Fifita, have since also made themselves available for Mate Ma'a.
Speaking to Brendan Telfer on RadioLIVE's Saturday sport, Woolf explained what happened.
"Jason rang me and told me that is what he wanted to do, and then he rang me the day before [the squad was named] and he said he had made his mind up, and it was definitely something that is what he wanted to do.
"He was the first, and once the other guys saw he was willing to make that sacrifice, it told them that is what they wanted to do as well.
"All the guys at different times have expressed interests in coming back to Tonga, and they have all expressed a real desire to play for Tonga while at their best and not towards the end of their careers."
Woolf has been Tonga's head coach since 2015, and said despite the controversy, many of the players have played for Tonga previously - like Taumalolo, who played three Tests for in 2013 before switching to the Kiwis in 2014.
"It is certainly the best position we have been in," said Woolf.
"The other thing to remember is every single one of those players, before they played for New Zealand or Australia, played for Tonga first - so it is not like they have just made the decision and all of a sudden and formed an allegiance with Tonga.
"The guys who we think are possibly going to possibly be picked in the New Zealand and Australian sides, they all know they go with my blessing and I'll support them either way, but they always have the option of coming back to Tonga.
"The line was certainly no different this time, but it is just what a couple of the guys have decided instead of playing for other nations."
One week ago Tonga was paying $81 to win the Cup, but after a number of experienced players made themselves available, their odds to win jumped significantly to $16.
Despite having more than 2000 games' worth of NRL experience in the 24-man squad, Woolf isn't taking anything for granted - saying they still face an uphill battle.
"We are in the toughest pool in the competition. We are ranked 11 in the world and we are playing number two, four and five, and Scotland showed what they can do in the Four Nations last year and they will be tough to beat.
"Samoa and we are always traditional rivals and we will find the best out of each other, and New Zealand is the second-best side in the world.
"We are not taking anything for granted because we have named a couple of high-profile players - we need to make sure we are well prepared for our first game against Scotland."
Woolf will take the team to Tonga for a week-long training camp ahead of their opening game on October 29 in Cairns. He said it's a good chance for the team to prepare and interact with the fans.
"We go to Tonga next Wednesday, and there was already some building excitement about having the national team back there as part of our preparations. Ever since Jason Ha said he wants to be a part of that along with the other guys, the excitement levels have gone through the roof.
"I have received numerous phone calls, emails and text messages some from people I do and don't know, but it certainly generated lots of excitement.
"We are going there for a training camp first and foremost. It will be an important part of our preparation.
"We have a number of guys who are Tongan-born and bred and we have others guys who were born in Tonga but have lived in Australia and New Zeeland, and we have guys who were born in Australia and New Zealand but have Tongan parents
"It is important we do spend some time and have a connection with the people who will support us the most, and it is also important that those people have a real connection to us as a team."
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