Kaufusi's test against Cordner could pave way to Kangaroo call-up

For Felise Kaufusi there is only one thing that could be tougher than renewing his Origin rivalry with Boyd Cordner, and that's squaring off against his Tongan countrymen in the historic Test against Australia next month.

Kaufusi and Cordner will lock horns on Sunday at ANZ Stadium, just as they did for Queensland and NSW in all three Origin games this year.

The Melbourne backrower with the huge engine and huge hair has the utmost respect for Cordner, who he labelled ''one of the best backrowers in the game''.

Hair apparent: Felise Kaufusi with Craig Bellamy after beating Souths in the first week of the finals.

Hair apparent: Felise Kaufusi with Craig Bellamy after beating Souths in the first week of the finals.

While Kaufusi was trying hard not to look beyond Sunday's NRL decider, it has been impossible not to let his mind wonder about the prospect of getting picked for the Kangaroos and playing in the first-ever Test against Tonga on October 20.

With Matt Gillett injured, Kaufusi and Tyson Frizell would be the two contenders for the starting right backrow spot.

"There would be mixed emotions. I'm a proud Tongan. Both parents are born there, a few of my older siblings were born there, so there's definitely that connection with Tonga,'' Kaufusi said.

"I mostly grew up in Australia, and there's that sense of belonging to Australia. It's where my heart is at.

"If I get the call-up, I'm not sure how I'd feel, especially watching the [pre-match] Sipi Tau. I'll worry about it if it happens.''

Kaufusi continues to improve on the back of his maiden Origin series, where he started on the right edge for Queensland in all three games.

Tonga's coach Kristian Woolf knows Kaufusi well, not only through his Test matches but as a

teenager playing in the North Queensland Cowboys under-20 team.

"I was lucky enough to coach him at the Cowboys and I thought he was going to be a front-rower,'' Woolf said.

"He started in the front-row and was one of our better performers in the 2011 grand final golden-point loss [against the New Zealand Warriors].

"We always knew he'd be a very good player, but I never foreseen him playing 80 minutes on an edge the way he is. He's certainly developed into a terrific player. He's one of best backrowers in the game.

"We'd love to have him with Tonga, but it's his choice. I know he's proud of his Tongan heritage, played with us before, and he'll find it difficult playing against us, that's for sure.''

Kaufusi and Cordner's match-up will not disappoint, especially with the pair capable of producing some explosive tackles. They will have front-row seats to the Latrell Mitchell-Will Chambers stoush directly outside them.

"He's a tough bastard,'' Kaufusi said of the Roosters skipper.

"I rate him right up there as one of the best backrowers in the game. I love how tough he is. You know what you'll get from him.

"He's rock solid, can hurt you in defence as well. He's got a high work rate, he's trustworthy. It will be hard trying to stop him, but we'll do our best.''

Kaufusi loved his Maroons experience and had a new-found respect for Storm teammates Cameron Smith and Billy Slater for the way they had balanced club and rep duties so successfully for so long.

Source: Read Full Article