Felise Kaufusi

Felise Kaufusi (born 19 May 1992) is a professional rugby league footballer from New Zealand who plays as a second-rower for the Dolphins in the National Rugby League (NRL), and has played for Tonga and Australia at international level.

Felise Kaufusi
Kaufusi in 2015
Personal information
Born (1992-05-19) 19 May 1992
Auckland, New Zealand
Height189 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight109 kg (17 st 2 lb)
Playing information
PositionSecond-row
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2014–22 Melbourne Storm 173 30 0 0 120
2023– Dolphins 16 0 0 0 0
Total 189 30 0 0 120
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2015–22 Tonga 7 1 0 0 4
2017–18 Australia 4 1 0 0 4
2018–22 Queensland 14 2 0 0 8
Source: [1][2][3]
As of 2 September 2023

He previously played for the Melbourne Storm and won the 2017 NRL Grand Final and 2020 NRL Grand Finals with the Storm. Kaufusi has also played for the Queensland Maroons.

Early life

Kaufusi was born in Auckland, New Zealand, and is of Tongan and Niuean descent. He is the younger brother of Antonio and older brother of Patrick.[4][5]

Felise moved to Australia as a seven-year-old and was educated at Shalom Catholic College, Bundaberg. He played junior football for the Bundaberg Brothers before being signed by the North Queensland Cowboys.[6]

Playing career

Early career

From 2010 to 2012, Kaufusi played for the North Queensland Cowboys' NYC team.[7][8] On 2 October 2011, Kaufusi played in the Cowboys' 2011 NYC Grand Final 31-30 Golden Point Extra Time loss to the New Zealand Warriors.[9] On 28 June 2012, he re-signed with the Cowboys on a 1-year contract.[10] In 2013, he moved on to the Cowboys' Queensland Cup team, Northern Pride RLFC.[11] On 21 August 2013, he signed a 1-year contract with the Melbourne Storm starting in 2014.[12] In July 2014, he played for the Queensland Residents against the New South Wales Residents.[13]

2015

In Round 1 of the 2015 NRL season, Kaufusi made his NRL debut for the Melbourne Storm against the St. George Illawarra Dragons, playing off the interchange bench in the 12-4 win at Jubilee Oval.[14][15] In Round 4 against the North Queensland Cowboys, Kaufusi scored his first NRL career try in the Storm’s 18-17 loss at 1300SMILES Stadium.[16] On 2 May 2015, he played for Tonga against Samoa in the Polynesian Cup.[17] On 2 July 2015, Kaufusi re-signed with the Storm on a 2-year contract.[18]

2016

On 7 May, Kaufusi played for Tonga against Samoa in the 2016 Polynesian Cup.[19] On 6 July, he was named as 18th man for Queensland in Game 3 of the 2016 State of Origin series.[20] Kaufusi was named as 18th man for the Storm in their 2016 NRL Grand Final clash against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks but didn’t play in the 14-12 thrilling loss.[21] Kaufusi finished the 2016 NRL season with him playing in 21 matches and scoring 4 tries for the Storm.

2017

On 21 April 2017, Kaufusi re-signed his contract with the Storm to the end of the 2019 season.[22] On 6 May 2017, Kaufusi played for Tonga against Fiji in the 2017 Pacific Test, where he started at second-row in the 26-24 win at Campbelltown Stadium.[23] During the season, Kaufusi took over the void second-row position from the departed Kevin Proctor and he took the opportunity by both hands and was instrumental for the Storm to their run leading up to the Finals series where they the winners of the Minor Premiership trophy.[24] On 1 October 2017, in the Storm’s 2017 NRL Grand Final against the North Queensland Cowboys, Kaufusi started at second-row and scored a try in the 34-6 victory.[25][26] Kaufusi finished his breakout 2017 NRL season with him playing all of the Storm’s 27 matches and scored 9 tries. On 3 October 2017, two days after the Grand Final win, Kaufusi was rewarded with selection in the 24-man Kangaroos squad for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.[27][28] On 3 November 2017, Kaufusi made his test debut for Australia against France, where he played off the interchange bench in the 52-6 win at Canberra Stadium.[29][30]

2018

In Round 1, Kaufusi suffered a hamstring injury being sidelined for three weeks. In May, he signed a two-year extension to remain with the Melbourne Storm.[31]

Kaufusi made his debut for Queensland in Game 1 of the 2018 State of Origin series, starting at second-row in all three games. He then featured in the Melbourne Storm's Grand Final loss to the Sydney Roosters. Kaufusi played in 21 games for the Storm in 2018, scoring five tries. Kaufusi played for Australia in the end of season tests vs New Zealand and Tonga.[32]

2019

He played 25 games for Melbourne in the 2019 NRL season as the club finished as runaway Minor Premiers, however the club was defeated by the Sydney Roosters in the preliminary final.[33]

2020

He played 21 games for Melbourne in the 2020 NRL season including the club's 2020 NRL Grand Final victory over Penrith.[34]

2021

In round 2 against Parramatta, Kaufusi was placed on report after an ugly tackle on Parramatta player Ryan Matterson during Melbourne's defeat. As a result, Matterson missed the following five matches whilst Kaufusi was suspended for three games.[35]

In round 10, Kaufusi was placed on report for tripping a St. George Illawarra player during the club's victory but later beat the charge and was then selected for Queensland to play in the 2021 State of Origin series.

A photo of New South Wales player Jarome Luai later went viral showing Luai standing over Kaufusi and taunting him. Kaufusi later said of the photo “I don’t think I need any more motivation than that thrashing we copped," he said. "I’ve kept the receipts there and hopefully turn that around on Sunday. "I can’t remember what he said to me, I was pretty filthy at myself to be honest. I think I must have got steamrolled".[36]

On 26 November 2021, Kaufusi signed with the Dolphins for their inaugural 2023 NRL season.[37][38]

2022

Kaufusi was selected by Queensland for game one of the 2022 State of Origin series. In game two, he scored a try but was later sin binned for a professional foul during Queensland's 44-12 loss against New South Wales.[39] Kaufusi played 21 games for Melbourne in the 2022 NRL season including the club's elimination final loss to Canberra.[40]

Dolphins (2023-present)

In round 1 of the 2023 NRL season, Kaufusi made his club debut for the Dolphins in their inaugural game in the national competition, defeating the Sydney Roosters 28-18 at Suncorp Stadium.[41] After a late tackle in round 3 against the Newcastle Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium, Kaufusi was suspended on a dangerous contact charge for the next four games (rounds 4-7).[42] In round 10 against the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks at Suncorp Stadium, Kaufusi captained the Dolphins in their 36-16 victory at Suncorp Stadium.[43] In the second minute of round 12 against the Melbourne Storm at Suncorp Stadium, Kaufusi was sin-binned for a grade-two careless high tackle [44] and suspended for the next three rounds.[45]

Internationally, Kaufusi was selected to represent Tonga in a three-Test series against England, kicking off at St Helens' Totally Wicked Stadium on 22 October 2023.[46]

Career stats

Club
† Denotes seasons in which Kaufusi won an NRL Premiership
Season Team Matches T G GK % F/G Pts W L D W-L %
2015 Melbourne Storm 172000889047.06
2016 21400016174080.95
2017† 27900036234085.19
2018 21500020147066.67
2019 2510000196076.00
2020† 2120008183085.71
2021 20300012173085.00
2022 21300012138061.90
2023 Dolphins 16000000
2024
Career totals 189 29 0 0 0 112 134 46 0

* = Unfinished season

Representative
Years Team Appearances Tries Goals Goal-kicking Field Goals Points
2017−2018 Australia 4 1 0 0 0 4
2018−2021 Queensland 11 1 0 0 0 4
2015−2022 Tonga 4 1 0 0 0 4

[47]

Honours

Club

Individual

Melbourne Storm

  • 2017 – Most Improved Player of the Year

References
  1. "Felise Kaufusi - Career Stats & Summary". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  2. loverugbyleague
  3. https://www.dolphinsnrl.com.au/teams/nrl-premiership/dolphins/felise-kaufusi/
  4. "Kaufusi brothers lead try-spree | Bundaberg NewsMail". News-mail.com.au. 13 November 2011. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  5. "Kaufusi in line to make NRL debut". Townsvillebulletin.com.au. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
  6. "'Fruit picking to World Cup' by Felise Kaufusi - PlayersVoice". 2 November 2017.
  7. "Toyota Cup Team Lists: Round Two". NRL.com. 15 March 2011. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  8. "'Make or break' for Kaufusi | Bundaberg NewsMail". News-mail.com.au. 24 November 2011. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  9. "Warriors clinch golden point victory after Cowboys comeback in Toyota Cup grand final". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  10. "Cowboys retain four young stars". NRL News. 28 June 2012. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  11. "Kaufusi and Feldt set for Pride debuts". Northernpride.com.au. 21 March 2013. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  12. "Storm hunts down more young guns | NRL". Zero Tackle. 21 August 2013. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  13. "XXXX Queensland Residents team". QRL. 29 June 2014. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  14. "Dragons lose Dugan in uninspired start".
  15. "Round 1 - Late mail - Storm". Melbournestorm.com.au. 9 March 2015. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  16. "JT steals the show in golden point".
  17. "Tonga Named To Face Samoa In Pacific Test". Rugbyleagueweek.com.au. 26 April 2015. Archived from the original on 30 April 2015. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  18. "Young forward commits to the Club - Storm". Melbournestorm.com.au. July 2015. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  19. "Samoa holds on in pulsating Pacific Test". nrl.com. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  20. NRL. "Addition to Maroons squad". QRL. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  21. Jones, Shane. "Nervous wait for Kaufusi ahead of NRL grand final".
  22. "No second to spare in Kaufusi's rise".
  23. "Unlikely hero inspires 12-man Tonga to victory".
  24. Ward, Roy (23 June 2017). "Melbourne Storm's Felise Kaufusi imitates the greats, reaps the rewards" – via The Sydney Morning Herald.
  25. Bungard, Matt (1 October 2017). "NRL grand final 2017: How the Melbourne Storm players rated" – via The Sydney Morning Herald.
  26. "Super Storm crowned NRL premiers".
  27. "Subscribe - dailytelegraph". www.dailytelegraph.com.au.
  28. "Kangaroos rookie Felise Kaufusi explains why picking Australia over Tonga was easy". Stuff. 5 October 2017.
  29. Polkinghorne, David (2 November 2017). "The next batch of Kangaroos stars on show in World Cup clash against France" – via The Sydney Morning Herald.
  30. "Aussie freak enters history books in bloodbath".
  31. "Felise Kaufusi commits to Melbourne Storm for two more seasons". www.sportingnews.com. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  32. "Rugby League: Felise Kaufusi allegiance lies firmly with Australia despite Tongan heritage". NewsHub. 17 October 2018. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  33. Howcroft, Jonathan (28 September 2019). "Roosters 14-6 Storm: NRL preliminary final – as it happened". The Guardian.
  34. Hytner, Mike (25 October 2020). "Melbourne Storm beat Penrith Panthers as it happened". The Guardian.
  35. "Parramatta Eels beat Melbourne Storm 16-12 in NRL thriller". ABC News. 18 March 2021.
  36. "QLD Maroons star Felise Kaufusi breaks silence on infamous Jarome Luai photo". www.sportingnews.com. 15 August 2021.
  37. "Dolphins snare Kaufusi in first major signing". National Rugby League. 26 November 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  38. "Dolphins FINALLY sign first NRL player in Maroons enforcer Felise Kaufusi: Transfer Centre". foxsports.com.au. News Corporation Australia. 25 November 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  39. "Cleary's stunning response as recalled star, debutant shine: NSW Player Ratings". www.foxsports.com.au. 26 June 2022.
  40. "Canberra Raiders upset ends Melbourne Storm's September reign". The Guardian. 10 September 2022.
  41. "'I don't want to take the gloss off... but': Kenty's warning for Dolphins after historic first-up win". www.foxsports.com.au. 6 March 2023.
  42. "Dolphins star ruled out in 'incredibly poor' call".
  43. "Final Team: Te Whare to debut at centre". 6 May 2023.
  44. "Felise Kaufusi needs a miracle to play State of Origin after getting hit with three-game ban". ABC News. 21 May 2023.
  45. "Judiciary Report: Niukore facing three-game ban; Pene, Sivo charged". 25 June 2023.
  46. https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2023-samoa-squad-pacific-championships-ins-and-outs-brian-too-stephen-crichton-junior-paulo/news-story/a075f551dc0da0aefd29a357ddff3b60
  47. "Felise Kaufusi - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
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