Analysis: Queensland need to elevate Felise Kaufusi into their starting line-up to beat NSW

The man who can handle the Blues’ bully boys in the opening stages of tomorrow’s Origin decider just so happens to be sitting on the Maroons’ bench, writes DAVID RICCIO.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 01: Felise Kaufusi during a Queensland Maroons State of Origin Training Session at Sanctuary Cove on June 01, 2024 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Queensland’s search for a weapon to silence the NSW bully boys in the opening 20 minutes of the Origin decider just happens to be sitting on their bench.

The last thing we would want to do is hand out self-help advice to Queensland.

But for the Maroons to have any hope of fighting fire with fire, hit man Felise Kaufusi must start at Suncorp Stadium against the Blues.

Named on the Maroons bench in both Origin I and II, Kaufusi has again been chosen to enter the fray once the dust has settled.

Jeremiah Nanai and Kurt Capewell have been chosen to start the match in front of Kaufusi.

It’s not too late for coach Billy Slater to make a late change.

Slater saw what every fan saw in Origin II, when Queensland were manhandled by NSW.

Felise Kaufusi is one of Queensland’s fiercest players. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Yet one of their best defenders, who has YouTube highlights of him dealing with hard-to-handle forwards including Brandon Smith and Hudson Young that have clicked through the thousands, won’t be out there when statements are being made.

There’s a reason why Kaufusi has started in 14 of 17 Origin appearances.

For anyone doubting Kaufusi’s ability to intimidate, this is what Maroons legend Corey Parker said just over 12 months ago.

“There’s no doubt Jeremiah Nanai is a terrific young player, but I’m picking Felise Kaufusi every day of the week, twice on Sunday in my team,” Parker said.

“He does absolutely everything you want, everything you want, every time he takes the field whether it’s with the Dolphins, whether it’s Melbourne, whether it’s the Queenslanders.

“He puts fear in playmakers.

“If you want to dig too far into the line, you know Felise Kaufusi’s right shoulder is gonna bury somewhere in your ribs.

“He does all of those little defensive things, the kick pressures, the kick chase.

“That’s not to say Jeremiah Nanai doesn’t. He’s a wonderful player and brings a different style to Felise, but I’d be having Felise Kaufusi.”

The Maroons went close to plucking Josh Papalii out of representative retirement. They wanted a menace in the middle, a player that could stand-up to the Blues.

That job is now Kaufusi’s.

It’s why he must start in the decider for Queensland to have any chance against a powerful Blues pack.