Felise Kaufusi faces nervous State of Origin selection wait after illegal hit

An NRL star faces a nervous State of Origin wait after being sent from the ground following a horror shot he delivered on a rival.

Felise Kaufusi with the swinging arm.

Dolphins second rower Felise Kaufusi faces a nervous wait ahead of the State of Origin series opener after being sent to the sin bin in Saturday night’s game against the Storm.

Kaufusi found himself in hot water just a few minutes into the highly-anticipated clash at Suncorp Stadium, collecting former teammate Christian Welch with a swinging arm.

The illegal act brought the two teams together, with the veteran second rower sent to the sin bin and now at risk of missing Game 1 for Queensland on May 31.

Watch every game of every round of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Michael Ennis described it as “crazy stuff” from Kaufusi while speaking in commentary for Fox League.

“I love his aggression but how costly will that be for the Dolphins?” Ennis added.

“He won’t be happy the master coach [Wayne Bennett].”

Off you go Felise. Picture NRL photos

It proved immediately costly as Melbourne winger Will Warbrick crossed over for the opening try of the night, although the Dolphins hit back soon after just as Kaufusi re-entered the game.

Kaufusi has already spent time on the sidelines this year having been banned for four weeks over a late hit on Newcastle halfback Jackson Hastings.

Only two minutes in, and Kaufusi has been sent to the sin bin for this dangerous tackle.

📺WATCH #NRLDolphinsStorm on Ch. 502 or stream via @kayosportshttps://t.co/KU6O1WswuO
✍️BLOG https://t.co/BwiB8mq5jS
🔢 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/5JrI8h7VSmpic.twitter.com/YWroyfbx3M

— Fox League (@FOXNRL) May 20, 2023

The 31-year-old was initially given a three-game suspension for his grade two dangerous contact charge but ended up copping a four-week ban after he unsuccessfully fought the charge at the judiciary.

It was Kaufusi’s third and subsequent offence at the time he was charged.

Originally published as Felise Kaufusi faces nervous State of Origin selection wait after illegal hit