Kangaroos halfback Cooper Cronk has hit out at Andrew Fifita over his last-minute World Cup defection to Tonga, describing the way in which the front-rower chose to switch allegiances as "poor".

Fifita withdrew from Mal Meninga's squad on Thursday two days after being chosen in the Australian squad, telling the coach he wanted to play for the country of his family heritage in the tournament starting later this month.

Meninga was diplomatic about the prop's decision, saying it would not impact on his chances of future selection for Australia, but Cronk took a different view when asked about it on Friday morning.

"I've got one thought on it and I've got the thought that I probably should say. I reckon it's disappointing, I reckon it's poor," Cronk told the Big Sports Breakfast on Sky Sports Radio.