State of Origin Game 2: Queensland Maroons enforcer Felise Kaufusi vows to control aggression

Maroons hit man Felise Kaufusi insists he won’t be a liability in Origin II, after a moment of madness last year almost ended his Queensland career.

Maroons star Felise Kaufusi admits he needs to ‘dial back’ the aggression but says the enforcer status will remain a part of his game. Picture: Getty Images

Maroons enforcer Felise Kaufusi insists he won’t be a liability in Origin II following the moment of madness last year that almost ended his Queensland career.

Kaufusi’s fairytale Origin comeback story is complete with the 32-year-old veteran winning a promotion to Queensland’s top 17 for the return bout against NSW at the MCG this Wednesday night.

Kaufusi was Queensland’s emergency 18th man in Origin I, but was suddenly thrust into the fray at Accor Stadium when Reece Walsh’s seventh-minute concussion saw him activated onto the bench.

Now, following a back injury to Game One debutant J’maine Hopgood, the Dolphins hit man is a fully-fledged member of the starting 17 and says he never gave up hope of a Maroons recall.

Asked if he believed the ship had sailed on his Origin career, Kaufusi said: “Not at all. I back my abilities to play in this arena.

Maroons star Felise Kaufusi admits he needs to ‘dial back’ the aggression but says the enforcer status will remain a part of his game. Picture: Getty Images

“I have been very lucky with the injuries this year with Tommy Gilbert and (Tom) Flegler, who I think are shoo-ins, and obviously J’maine Hopgood and Tino (Fa’asuamaleaui).

“The amount of forwards we have (lost) have opened up doors for me to come back in.

“I think that has helped with my versatility to be able to play in the middle and back-row.

“I keep pinching myself that I am back in here and I am loving every moment of it.”

Kaufusi plays his 16th Origin game on Wednesday night, but he may never have reached sweet sixteen if he didn’t attempt to temper the aggression that spilt over the edge last year.

Lauded for his aggression in defence, Kaufusi lost the plot in round 12 against Melbourne.

Determined to make a statement against his former club, Kaufusi whacked ex-Origin and clubmate Christian Welch with a swinging arm that saw him suspended for three weeks in the final NRL game before Origin I.

Kaufusi subsequently missed the 2023 Origin series and earned the wrath of Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett, who lashed his ill-discipline.

Kaufusi’s Maroons career almost ended in 2023, after an ugly shot on former Storm teammate Christian Welch saw him suspended before Origin I. Picture: NRL Images

The suspension firestorm proved a seminal moment for the 198-game premiership-winner, who says he has found the balance between defensive fire and staying ice-cool as he pledged not to let Queensland down with an MCG brain snap.

“I have had to (find that balance) after missing out on a lot of footy last year,” he said.

“That was my downfall and I had to get it right, otherwise I’d be sitting on the sideline or I wouldn’t be here in Origin.

“You could say I have dialled it back a bit but it (the enforcer role) is part of my game and part of who I am.

“It is a lot better this year.

“I know it was my own fault in the end (missing Queensland’s 2023 series win). I couldn’t really be angry. To watch those boys and how they went about their business last year, I was just like any other Queenslander from the sidelines cheering them on. Hopefully we can win another series this year.

“In 2018 I debuted at the MCG. It feels like it has come back full circle. The MCG is such an iconic venue. Just the atmosphere running out it feels like a colosseum and you are a gladiator running out.”

Kaufusi admits he is grateful to be back in Origin camp after injuries paved the way for his Queensland return. Picture: Adam Head

Queensland coach Billy Slater says he never closed the door on his former Storm and Origin colleague.

“Felise is a wonderful player,” he said.

“I played in a premiership team with Felise and in a Queensland team. He just makes a team better. He did a great job in Game One to come on and play the way he did.

“He has been a big part of this Queensland team so he gets an opportunity to prepare knowing he will definitely be playing.”

SECOND MAROONS STAR ADMITS TO EMOTIONAL DRAIN OF ORIGIN I

Maroons back-rower Jaydn Su’A has revealed he was “emotionally drained” in Origin I and says he needs to lift his game in the return bout if he wants to keep his Queensland starting spot.

Su’A’s candid confession came as recalled Maroons hardman Felise Kaufusi backed his teammate to fire up in Origin II, labelling him the “hit man” who can clean up NSW in straight sets at the MCG.

The embattled Blues are 1-0 down after Queensland’s 38-10 romp and will slump to a third consecutive series defeat if they can’t get the job done before 90,000 fans this Wednesday night.

Su’A is the perfect man to put the foot on NSW’s throat and the hard-hitting enforcer insists he has more to give in Maroon after what he viewed as a mediocre personal performance in Origin I.

Jaydn Su'A was a ‘hit man’ for the Maroons. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Recalled to the Maroons after a two-year hiatus, Su’A wasn’t happy with two handling errors in Game One that blighted a solid contribution featuring 10 runs, 53 metres and 31 tackles.

Ever the perfectionist, Queensland coach Billy Slater is driving relentless standards of excellence in Camp Maroon and they have rubbed off on Su’A, who says he got caught up in the hype of his Origin comeback.

Asked if he wants more impact early in Origin II, Su’A said: “Yep, that is what I would like to do.

“I was emotionally drained (by Game One) in the sense that I hadn’t been in this team for so long.

“It was an emotional time for me and my family.

“Being back in that arena it was a bit emotionally draining.

“I will be better for it and will make sure I build my week.

“We are back for Game 2 now. We want to go down to Melbourne with a bang and show everyone what this team is about.

“I definitely feel like there is more in me.”

The 26-year-old is under added pressure to perform given that his starting back-row cohort, Jeremiah Nanai, is battling a calf strain and racing the clock to be passed fit for Origin II.

Queensland are blessed with back-row talent and with Titans hulk David Fifita knocking on the selection door, Su’A knows there is serious quality breathing down his neck in the battle for Maroons berths.

Su'A wants to make a bigger impact early in Game 2. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Dolphins enforcer Kaufusi has felt the venom of Su’A’s shots at club level and warned Blues ballrunners to be nervous men when they run at the Dragons hardman at the MCG.

“He is a hit man. He can bloody hurt some people,” Kaufusi said.

“I think he got (Daly) Cherry-Evans (Queensland skipper) on the weekend (in the Dragons-Manly clash) if you watch that game back.

“Jaydn is an enforcer himself so that is part of his game and what he brings to Queensland.

“He has so well deserved his spot (in the Queensland team) with the way he has been playing.

“He has been outstanding and it has been awesome for me watching him because you don’t know if that ship has sailed or whether they are looking at you again or whether you have got a chance.

“Jaydn has just taken it with both hands. His footy speaks for itself.”

Su’A plays his sixth Origin game this Wednesday night and says Slater’s assistant coach Nate Myles, a legendary 32-game Queensland enforcer, has been a valued mentor for the Maroons pack.

“He’s awesome,” he said of Myles’ influence on the current squad. “It is awesome to have an old head like him around camp with all his experience.

“It is good to have him. I’m learning so much being around the best of the best.”