Patrick Kaufusi is proud to be selected for Tonga

IT HAS been a whirlwind 48 hours for Bundaberg’s Patrick Kaufusi after he was picked for Tonga on Sunday night.

Patrick Kaufusi with his new Tonga jersey. Picture: Contributed

IT HAS been a whirlwind 48 hours for Bundaberg's Patrick Kaufusi after he was picked for Tonga on Sunday night.

After playing for the North Queensland Cowboys on Saturday night against Manly, Kaufusi was told by his coach Paul Green he had been chosen to represent the birth country of his parents.

What followed was a mad scramble to book flights to get back to Sydney to train with the team.

"I got told on Sunday morning in Sydney and flew back to Townsville with the team later in the day," he said.

"I then flew back to Sydney at 5.50am this morning (Monday) and trained with the team in the afternoon."

Despite the extra travel and preparation Kaufusi wouldn't have it any other way.

"I'm blessed and happy to be playing for Tonga," he said.

"It was a shock to be selected but I am excited at the same time."

Kaufusi's selection has come at a time when he is getting plenty of game time for the Cowboys.

He has started his last three matches for the team, which was hard to get into at the start of the season.

Asked what has got him into the Cowboys team, Kaufusi had a simple answer.

"I've applied myself more and aimed to impress to let them know I am there and ready to play," he said.

"Greeny has said 'just do your job for the team' and hopefully it has been good enough so far."

With his family travelling down for the match Kaufusi can't wait to make his debut for Tonga.

"It's a real honour to be playing and performing in front of my family," he said.

"I'm looking forward to the experience and it will also be good to play with Felise for the first time since our U20 days."

Kaufusi said he was focused on doing well and any talk of World Cup selection would come later for the 22-year-old.