Kaufusi grew up desperate to play for Australia. But his father, Taniela, never saw him realign with Tonga before his death. He feels the “pull of my emotions, bringing out how tough” his parents had it, just as he does for his Bundaberg roots. Pasifika athletes now make up nearly half the NRL. While Kaufusi does not know where to “draw the line”, he says what cannot be lost is the loyalty felt to both sides. “I’d be so disheartened, or for another person coming through who grew up in Queensland, to not be eligible because they’ve played for their mother country,” Kaufusi says. “What’s right and wrong? Growing up it was a dream to play for Australia, but also to represent my family and where they’ve come from.”Felise Kaufusi “I still have that sense of belonging and pride for my state. But then I get drawn to the Tongan side, and it’s the same feeling I get pulling on the Origin jumper. “It’d be hard if kids coming through now have to pick who to play for, or if they ever do it for Queensland or New South Wales, won’t be able to play for Tonga, Samoa or Fiji.” The task ahead Kaufusi jokes of disappointment he will not be able to make a beeline for the retired Christian Welch on Friday night, instead eyeing a shot at “cheeky bugger” Cameron Munster. “I’ll have to get him on the golf course,” he quips. Kidding aside, Kaufusi knows he must keep his emotions in check. The first time he battled the Storm, he was sin binned within two minutes for a high shot on Welch, and suspended for three games. After four straight defeats, wins against the Titans and Panthers revived their 2025. But against the premiership favourites, who they have never conquered, they can announce themselves a genuine threat. As Kaufusi says: “There’s no better team to play to get a gauge of where you’re at than the Melbourne Storm.”