Origin pain the final straw in ‘hitman’ Kaufusi’s bid to find balance

When ill-discipline cost him a chance at Maroons selection last year Felise Kaufusi knew it was time to adapt quickly or risk waving goodbye to his Origin career.

The veteran forward missed half of the Dolphins' first 14 games in their inaugural season due to two separate suspensions, the second of which – a careless high tackle on former Storm teammate Christian Welch – sidelined him for the period in which Game One and Two of the Origin series were played.

When asked this week about his role as a hitman for the Maroons, Kaufusi said while it will always be part of his game it was clear he needed to change some old habits. 

“I have had to [find the balance] after missing out on a lot of footy last year,” he said. 

That was my downfall and I had to get it right, otherwise I’d be sitting on the sideline or I wouldn’t be here.

Felise Kaufusi

“You could say I have dialled it back a bit, but it is part of my game and part of who I am. It is a lot better this year. 

“I know it was my own fault in the end [that I missed last year’s series]; I couldn’t really be angry.”

After being invited to take part in coach Billy Slater’s pre-season camp back in February, Kaufusi earned selection as the replacement player for the series opener and made the most of his opportunity which came on the back of Reece Walsh being ruled out inside the opening eight minutes.

With Blues debutant Joseph Sua'ali'i sent off for the hit on Walsh, Kaufusi was activated and ended up playing 28 minutes in the 38-10 win, with a promotion to the bench following for Game Two.

While he never lost faith in his ability to play at Origin level, the 32-year-old admits it’s been a surreal experience to return from his one-year hiatus after previously missing just one of 15 Origins between 2018-2022.  

“It is bloody awesome. To play Origin and then not be selected last year for obvious reasons, and to come back in… the feeling I get is ‘I miss this’,” Kaufusi said.

“I keep pinching myself that I am back in here and I am loving every moment of it.

“When I got the call that I was 18th man the first thing Billy said was, ‘make sure you are ready’ because the way the NRL and footy games are going you might find yourself on the field.

“That was my mentality. I was reminded about that at the start of the camp and in warmup before the game.”  

Kaufusi isn’t the only Maroons player making the most of another chance to represent Queensland, with fellow bench forward Kurt Capewell and 18th man Dane Gagai both back for the first time since taking part in the 2022 series-clinching Game Three victory over New South Wales.