Felise Kaufusi on track for Origin debut, says Kevin Walters

STORM forward Felise Kaufusi is tracking towards a State of Origin debut with Queensland next year, Maroons coach Kevin Walters says.

STORM forward Felise Kaufusi is tracking towards a State of Origin debut with Queensland next year, Maroons coach Kevin Walters says.

Kaufusi shone a light on a rarely used skill by Storm forwards when he offloaded to put on two tries in their preliminary final win over the Broncos last Friday.

“I know he had that in his game — he was very close to playing Origin this year,’’ said Walters, who gave the Bundaberg Brothers product a taste of the team environment as Queensland’s 18th man in Game Three in July.

“I would have thought next year (he would be ready), particularly how consistent he’s been for the Storm this season.

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Felise Kaufusi has played every game for the Storm this year.

“He’s getting experience in a preliminary final and now a grand final.

“It’s the sort of intensity which shows you a lot about whether a player is ready for Origin.’’

The New Zealand-born 25-year-old played 21 games for Melbourne last year but was dropped from the side for the last three games of the season, making his first NRL grand final on Sunday all the more satisfying.

Kaufusi has produced more offloads than any Melbourne forward this year, with 21 in 26 games.

But the percentage style with quick play-the-balls that coach Craig Bellamy wants from his forwards is reflected when the statistic is compared with leading NRL offloaders like Martin Taupau (71), Paul Gallen (52), Andrew Fifita (50) and Trent Merrin (38).

Felise Kaufusi is in line for an Origin debut next year.

Bellamy said earlier this month that Kaufusi’s younger brother Patrick, 23, would take up a two-year deal with Melbourne from next year, swapping camps with Townsville-bound Storm prop Jordan McLean.

Patrick Kaufusi played nine games for the Cowboys NRL team this year, but none since Round 9 after he suffered a foot injury.

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Felise Kaufusi is one of seven Queenslanders in the grand final yet to play Origin and is the closest of them to selection next year.

“Big match experience is invaluable. Cameron Munster got it last year, which really helped him at Origin level,’’ Walters said.

“I think Felise is a real talent. I’m very excited about his future.’’

Kaufusi, overlooked in favour of clubmate Tim Glasby by Maroons selectors, has averaged 77 minutes this year, with 84 run metres and 31 tackles, missing only 1.9 tackles a game.

The right-edge second-rower was second in the Storm tackle count in the preliminary final with 34, second only to Tohu Harris (37).

Kaufusi and winger Josh Addo-Carr are the only Storm players to have competed in all 26 of their games this year.