Kaufusi hoping to emulate JT-Cooper partnership with Munster

Maroons back-rower Felise Kaufusi wants to forge a left-edge strike force with Cameron Munster as potent as the one Gavin Cooper and Johnathan Thurston enjoyed, starting with Wednesday night's State of Origin series opener against NSW.

Kaufusi has moved from his favoured right edge, where he plays for the Storm and lined up in three Origin games for Queensland last year, to the left edge where he will play outside five-eighth Munster.

The Thurston-Cooper combination was one of the game's most lethal in club football for the best part of a decade and while they didn't play many games together for Queensland it was their coalition that was a key factor in Cooper making his Origin debut in 2016.

When asked whether he aimed to replicate the Thurston-Cooper liaison with Munster, the 27-year-old was emphatic.

"Definitely. Being the type of player Cameron Munster is, he will steer the ship on the left edge and I'll run my lines," Kaufusi said.

"We have guys like Michael Morgan and Corey Oates on that side so it's a pretty dangerous edge if you ask me. I'll be looking to build that combination with Munster and hopefully come out on Origin night and put it together.

"I'll let Munster play his game and I will be there as his little support act. We've all seen what he does especially on the Origin stage, so I'll be looking to run off him. It is the left side but I'm still doing the same thing. I'm looking forward to playing with him."

Kaufusi has proven to be a master at hitting holes on the back of pinpoint passes, a skill he fine-tuned playing outside Cooper Cronk at Melbourne.

"I've been fortunate to play with some really good halves, Cooper Cronk being one of them. He has kick-started my career," Kaufusi said.

"It's just knowing your role and making sure I'm there at the right time. Those guys like Cooper make me look better than I am so I am forever grateful to him.

"I'll be playing left edge, it's a bit of a difference but we have a couple of training sessions left and we'll get those combinations right.”

Kaufusi, a starstruck debutant this time last year, said new Maroons Joe Ofahengaue, Moses Mbye and David Fifita had added plenty of energy to the team camp.

"It's infectious seeing their eyes light up and the excitement that they bring. It definitely feeds through this group," he said.

"I'm excited, it feels like my first game and I'm also excited for the debutants coming through. I was in their shoes last year and I have felt what they are going to feel.

"For a young guy, David Fifita has that strength and attitude that I have now, and he's only just turned 19. I am really impressed by him and the way he has gone in clubland and the form he has brought into camp."

Kaufusi will have his hands full opposing Blues back-rower Tyson Frizell at Suncorp Stadium.

"For sure, it will be a big battle [with Frizell] and I will have my hands full. He's a big boy, a tough thing, but we'll do our homework and hopefully I can get on top of him," he said.

"I was always happy to get the opportunity last year but now it's a chance to build on that. I want to bloody win the series."

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