He signed on at the Sharks over 12 months ago, however the wait is almost over for Oregon Kaufusi who is ready and raring to go for his new club as the 2023 season gets ever closer.
A late inclusion for this weekend’s trial against the Knights, the 23-year-old Kaufusi, who progressed through the Parramatta junior reps into the NRL, has fit seamlessly into the system at the Sharks and looks forward to the season ahead.
“It’s been good, but it’s big for me as my first real change,” Kaufusi said. “The boys and coaching staff have taken me in.
“I’m looking to get better with my footy, to be consistent and to develop my game.”
Coming off a Grand Final appearance with the Eels and a World Cup Final with Samoa, Kaufusi is set to bring some big game experience to the Cronulla club in 2023.
“(The Grand Final) was a big occasion, very special, it’s just a shame we couldn’t get it done,” Kaufusi said in his first interview with Sharks Media.
“As for the World Cup, that was also special, to represent my mother’s side, just a small island and what we achieved (getting to the Final) was very good,” he added.
Following a career which has included 72 NRL games, 28 of those games coming during the Eels run to the Grand Final last year, the 188cm, 114kg Kaufusi joins the Sharks on a two-year deal in bolstering their forward depth.
Likely to see some game time in both Sharks trial matches, firstly on Friday against the Knights then the following Sunday at Belmore against the Bulldogs, Kaufusi has trained strongly since joining the squad during January and alongside the likes of Samoan teammates Royce Hunt and Braden Hamlin-Uele, as well as returning Sharks forwards including Dale Finucane, Tony Rudolf, Cam McInnes and Jack Williams, is set to become a vital member of what shapes as a formidable pack.
Now just a little over three weeks until the Sharks kick-off the 2023 season, Kaufusi spoke to Sharks Media. See above our video interview.
Oregon Kaufusi – Fact File
DOB: 20-August-1999
Height: 188cm
Weight: 114kgs
Rep Honours: NSW under 16’s, 18’s and 20’s, Australian Schoolboys, 5 games for Samoa
NRL games: 72
NRL debut: Round 23, 2018, Eels v Storm
