Maroons forward Felise Kaufusi commits to Tonga for World Cup
Yet another star turn away from Australia ahead of the season-ending World Cup as a Queensland firebrand is the latest in the exodus.
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The international eligibility debate is set to continue after Queensland second rower Felise Kaufusi was the latest player to pledge allegiance to another nation for the season-ending Rugby League World Cup.
A 14-match State of Origin veteran for the Maroons, Kaufusi pledged allegiance to Tonga, revealing his decision to Newscorp via a text message.
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What is different about Kaufusi is that the Storm star already has four caps in the green and gold, joining Roosters and Blues winger Daniel Tupou, who played a single Test for Australia in 2014.
Other recent defectors include Victor Radley, who is yet to play for Australia or State of Origin, while Brian To’o, Jarome Luai, Siosifa Talakai and Kotoni Staggs haven’t debuted for the Kangaroos as yet.
Radley’s decision, assuming he is selected for England, will mean he can never represent Australia or play State of Origin. But those not playing for Australia, England or New Zealand, the only countries deemed Tier 1, can play for Tier 2 nations and not lose their ability to play Origin.
Although a debate has erupted over eligibility and whether the Maroons Origin jersey means more to Queensland than the Blues’ to NSW, Fox League’s Gorden Tallis backed Kaufusi’s decision.
“I love it, I absolutely love it,” Tallis said. “I love our international game. I remember getting up and watching guys like Brandy (Greg Alexander) playing over there on a Kangaroos tour. It was the pinnacle and still is the pinnacle of our game to go an play for your country.
“People went away in a rusty tin boat to fight for our freedom so I love playing for Australia.
“If our international game is strong, it’s only better for our game. I don’t think State of Origin can get any bigger, I think our domestic competition is fantastic and growing the international game, having a superstar like that going back and playing for his country, is fantastic.”
Alexander said he had “no issue at all” seeing players who are eligible to play for Australia, represent the nations of their family’s heritage.
Originally published as Maroons forward Felise Kaufusi commits to Tonga for World Cup
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