Australia was the right choice — Kaufusi
SYDNEY: Kangaroos forward Felise Kaufusi understands the Tongan rugby league revolution better than most, but insists the Australian jersey is the right one for him in Saturday’s historic test.
Kaufusi’s parents were born in Tonga, along with his eldest three sisters, and the Melbourne secondrower played his first three tests for the country before debuting for Australia at the end of last year.
Kaufusi was born in New Zealand and moved from Auckland to Queensland when he was 7.
The damaging edge runner now clearly identifies with being an Australian representative.
But after playing for Tonga as recently as last year’s Pacific test, he understands better than anyone in the Kangaroos camp just what Andrew Fifita and Jason Taumalolo have been able to achieve since switching allegiances.
‘‘I respect them for that and hopefully it’s a good thing going forward,’’ Kaufusi told reporters in Auckland.
‘‘They are a real passionate bunch and really proud of where they’re from. It’s something special that they have in their camp.
‘‘I’ve played with most of them. I’ve played for Tonga before and am friends with them, but won’t be friends on the weekend.’’
Kaufusi’s split ties stretch as far as his father joking he will wear half red, half green to Saturday’s first meeting between the countries at a soldout Mt Smart Stadium.
Kaufusi’s cousins, who still live in Auckland, met him last week and were not subtle in their jabs about the Tonga match, either.
But after only switching from the 15man game to rugby league when he moved to Queensland at a young age, Kaufusi said it was an easy decision to pick the Kangaroos as his priority.
‘‘Moving over to Queensland it’s all rugby league. So growing up I found that pride and passion in the Queenslanders,’’ he said.
‘‘Growing up in Australia I found that sense of belonging. It’s not a hard decision to make.
‘‘I feel more drawn to Australia. It’s the pinnacle for me to put on the green and gold, so I’m really looking forward to representing our country as best we can and [putting] in a big performance.’’
Brisbane lock Josh McGuire is another to know Tonga’s fight to grow the game in the Pacific Islands firsthand.
He played seven tests for
Tonga’s archrivals Samoa, including as recently as last year against England.
‘‘It’s great for international rugby league,’’ McGuire said.
‘‘I can’t thank [Kangaroos coach] Mal [Meninga] enough for his support of the international game and trying to grow it.’’
The final tickets for the match were sold yesterday morning.
The NRL confirmed the 30,000seat stadium was already booked out.
Fewer than 13,000 fans attended the venue last weekend when the Kiwis beat the Kangaroos.
‘‘The level of interest in this game has been staggering, so it will be great to see the housefull sign up outside Mt Smart Stadium this Saturday,’’ NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg said.
‘‘Many people worked very hard to make this game a reality and the result will be no doubt a real highlight for the international game and for the game overall.’’
It follows on from the soldout crowd of 30,003 for last year’s World Cup semifinal between Tonga and England in Auckland.