Andrew Fifita went about defection the wrong way: Cronk

Andrew Fifita with play for Tonga at the Rugby League World Cup. Photo /Getty

Andrew Fifita went about his defection from Australia to Tonga for rugby league's World Cup "the wrong way", Kangaroos halfback Cooper Cronk has said.

The departing Melbourne Storm champion says he has "no problem" with Fifita playing for Tonga but that it was "disappointing" the Cronulla forward made the announcement two days after being named in the Kangaroos squad.

"I reckon it's poor," Cronk told Sky Sports Radio on Friday.

"He made the phone call an hour before the team was assembling in Sydney for the official photos and things like that.

"There's a right way to go about things and there's a wrong way to go about things and, you know, I think he's gone about it the wrong way."

Cronk said it would have been better for Fifita to have made the choice a couple of months ago rather than go through with the Australian side announcement.

He said Fifita's last-hour call to Mal Meninga came despite the Kangaroos coach standing up for him publicly over "a few different indiscretions".

"He's entitled to do whatever he feels is right in his heart and his mind, and if Tonga's that I've got no problem," Cronk said.

"But do it the right way."

On Thursday, Fifita announced he would be playing for Tonga in the October-November tournament, a day after North Queensland lock Jason Taumaololo said he was opting for the Mate Ma'a over New Zealand.

Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Manu Ma'u and David Fusitu'a also advised the Kiwis they would be committing to Tonga, before the announcment of their squad on Thursday.

- AAP