Jason Taumalolo, Tohu Harris and Issac Luke out of Kiwis Rugby League World Cup squad

Rugby league powerhouse Jason Taumalolo has officially turned his back on New Zealand to play for Tonga in this year's World Cup campaign, sending shockwaves through a beleaguered Kiwis camp.

Widely considered the best forward in the world, the 24-year-old Taumalolo was born in Auckland with Tongan ancestry and has thrice played for Mate Ma'a.

Yet, in a move that all but negates his shot at World Cup glory this year, Taumalolo has decided to represent Tonga over New Zealand.

In a written statement, the 2016 Dally M Medal winner justified his decision by declaring his wish to develop rugby league in the Polynesian country.

He hoped to continue playing for both countries in the future.

Yet Taumalolo's motives may not be so straightforward, with reports that the lock's decision to play for Tonga is directly related to the ousting of ex-Kiwis teammates Jesse Bromwich and Kevin Proctor.

Tohu Harris, meanwhile, has reportedly been ruled out of the tournament with niggling foot and shoulder injuries. And hooker Issac Luke is also set to pay the price for a disappointing season with the Warriors and be dropped from the squad, which is to be announced on Thursday.

Despite playing an integral role during Melbourne's charge to the NRL premiership, Fairfax understands Harris' name will not be read out when New Zealand coach David Kidwell announces his 24-man squad on Thursday.

The Warriors-bound back-rower had an injury-plagued start to the season, missing the opening two months with a broken foot before struggling with a shoulder complaint.

He bounced back with several stellar performances during the back-end of the year, including making 43 tackles and laying on a try in Sunday's grand final as the Storm thumped North Queensland 34-6.

But the demand of another six-week campaign with the Kiwis is expected to be too much as Harris focuses on getting healthy ahead of his move to Auckland.

It is a cruel blow for the 25-year-old after he was sensationally omitted from the 2013 World Cup when Sonny Bill Williams made himself available for selection, having initially ruled himself out of the tournament.

His withdrawal comes after star playmaker Kieran Foran was ruled out injured, while former captain Jesse Bromwich and Kevin Proctor had already been stood down for selection following the cocaine scandal in May.

Meanwhile, there appears to be no room in the squad for 37-test hooker Luke, with the selectors opting to go with Newcastle dummy-half Danny Levi, with cover likely to come from Thomas Leuluai.

Luke failed to find his best form this season and was benched by coach Stephen Kearney for the round 23 match against the Raiders. Although, he was perhaps a victim of playing behind a pack that struggled to go forward.

It is a bold call to go with Levi, an uncapped 21-year-old who is coming off his second full year in first grade.

But he played every game this year and, while former Kiwis coach Frank Endacott had expected Luke to be in the squad, he always felt Levi would be challenging for the No. 9 jersey.

"He's had a sensational year in a team that wasn't travelling very good," Endacott said. "Every knowledgeable person you talk to all know how good a season he's had and I think he's right up there."

While Kidwell had recently indicated Benji Marshall was back in the frame for selection following Foran's withdrawal, the halves are expected to be made up of Shaun Johnson, Te Maire Martin, Kodi Nikorima and Leuluai.

Having excelled in the Cowboys' fairytale run to the final, Martin shapes as the frontrunner to start alongside Johnson.

The 21-year-old played his first and only test in last year's shock draw with Scotland but Endacott expects he will quickly put that memory behind him at the World Cup.

"I think he's up to it, without a doubt," Endacott said. "He's really been a shining light in that Cowboys team when Johnathan Thurston was out injured.

"The young guy was thrown into the deep end and he handled it brilliantly. I can see him and Shaun Johnson being the halves for the Kiwis for some time."

The Kiwis head into camp on October 17 before opening their campaign against Samoa in Auckland on October 28.

Stuff.co.nz and AAP