'What about Tonga?': Kaufusi's family dilemma
- Author
- Timestamp
When Felise Kaufusi told his mother, Pelenatita, that he had been chosen in the Australian squad for last year's World Cup, she asked: "What about Tonga?"
His father Taniela intends to wear a half green and half red shirt to Saturday's historic Test at Mt Smart Stadium, while family members in Auckland have planted Tonga flags outside their houses.
After representing Tonga from 2015-17 in the Pacific Tests, Kaufusi admits he will have mixed emotions when Jason Taumalolo leads the sipi tau (Tongan cultural display) on Saturday night but his decision to play for Australia is one he has always felt comfortable about.
In fact, Kaufusi insists he wouldn't immediately return to play for Tonga if he was dropped by Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga.
"I don't think that is right if I go back and I am not as passionate as some of the players who are in there," he told NRL.com "It would be wrong in a sense because I didn't make Australia to say I am going to play for Tonga now.
Kaufusi's family with a foot in both camps
"If someone is more driven and has more of a passion for their country than I do it would be wrong to go back and kick them out just so that I can play. I have still got love for Tonga and what they are doing but I don't want to be that guy."
With both parents and his three oldest siblings born in Tonga, Kaufusi understands the passion those with connections to the Pacific nation have for their team.
He was born in New Zealand and moved to Queensland at seven years of age but he and his eight brothers and sisters, including former Test prop Antonio and Melbourne team-mate Patrick, were immersed in Tongan culture from a young age.
"What you see, with how proud and passionate the Tongan people are, that is my parents to a tee," Kaufusi said. "My family are all on the Tonga side, they are a real proud nation and they will support anything and anyone Tongan."
Being selected to debut for Australia is a proud moment in the career of any player but Kaufusi had to make a difficult phone call to Tonga coach Kristian Woolf before joining the Kangaroos camp.
"He was disappointed, but he was happy for me and gave me his blessing. He said whatever is in your heart is what you should do," Kaufusi said.
"Growing up in Queensland from a young age, I feel a sense of belonging to the green and gold and that's where my drive is. I might be eligible to play for other nations, but my heart lays with the green and gold. For me, that is the highest honour."
His parents were also supportive after moving to Australia for the opportunity to work on fruit farms in North Queensland and provide a better lifestyle for their growing family.
However, Pelanatita's initial reaction was an indication of how much Tonga means to her and Taliana.
Kangaroos v Tonga preview
"I think they're more pumped than I am," Kaufusi said. "My mum has been showing me her cousins and that here on social, with the flags and their houses.
"They're coming over with one of my sisters, and the old man reckons he's going to wear half green and half red. They're both really supportive but there's a bit of banter at the moment."
Asked how he thinks other Tongans in the sell-out crowd will react towards him, Kaufusi said: "I don't think they will like me to be honest but I saw the atmosphere from the World Cup and I am excited and really looking forward to it".
He is also unsure about his own emotions when the sipi tau is performed before kick-off.
"I've played for Tonga before so it will be weird and a bit daunting facing the sipi tau, but I'll take it in my stride and put the emotions aside and do my best on the day.
"It will be a bit intimidating but you have to embrace it and take it to them. They're a really proud nation and really passionate, I think they did really well in the World Cup. Unfortunately, they failed at the last hurdle but it speaks volume what they did for the nation and game … they brought a lot of people together."
