Super Cronk
02-06-06, 11:06 AM
Heraldsun.com.au
MELBOURNE Storm man mountain Antonio Kaufusi says he is ready to step into the State-of-Origin breach if Queensland selectors come knocking.
Endorsed by suspended Maroons back-rower and Storm teammate Michael Crocker as the power forward to tame New South Wales' heavyweight pack, Kaufusi is likely to get the chance to impress Queensland selector Gene Miles at Olympic Park tomorrow night.
It is understood Miles will attend the game predominantly to weigh up the Origin claims of Roosters forwards David Shillington and Chris Flannery. But he will also keep a close eye on Kaufusi and the returning Billy Slater.
"Mick's given me a massive wrap and it's good to know a player who has been there and performed at that level believes I am up to it," Kaufusi said last night.
"If the Queensland selectors came knocking I'd be only too happy to answer the call.
"I have always supported Queensland and one day I'd love to pull on that jersey. I don't know if it will happen this year, but even to be talked about or considered a chance is great."
Born in Tonga, Kaufusi spent much of his childhood in New Zealand before his family relocated to Bundaberg in far north Queensland.
The 21-year-old, represented Queensland under-19s in an Origin curtain-raiser in 2003 — the same year of his first-grade debut.
Former Storm prop Robbie Kearns has worked closely with Kaufusi and said there was no doubt the 190cm, 112kg, powder-keg could make an impact at Origin level.
But he questioned whether he would be ready at this stage of his career.
"I am a huge fan of Kaufusi, with his pace, size and power he could be anything," Kearns said.
"He definitely has what it takes to play at that level and he might have done a better job than a few of the guys that Queensland had there last time. But he probably needs to work on his consistency before he can really make his mark."
Coach Craig Bellamy said Kaufusi's achilles heel was his tendency to drift in and out of games.
"He is a big, powerful guy but I'd like to see him produce more on a weekly basis for us before he was thrown into an Origin," Bellamy said.
"He is getting better, but he still has some way to go."
Bellamy is likely to be forced into a tough decision tonight with Nathan Friend's ankle injury improving.
Friend had been expected to miss, opening the way for Slater's return from suspension on the bench.
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Gotta say i think Mick Crocker needs a drug test. I think Kaufusi has alot of potential....sadly ive been saying that for 3 years now. He is a solid front rower who has the occasional stand out game. As Bellamy mentions he will need to be much more damaging and consistent if he is going to play SOO.
MELBOURNE Storm man mountain Antonio Kaufusi says he is ready to step into the State-of-Origin breach if Queensland selectors come knocking.
Endorsed by suspended Maroons back-rower and Storm teammate Michael Crocker as the power forward to tame New South Wales' heavyweight pack, Kaufusi is likely to get the chance to impress Queensland selector Gene Miles at Olympic Park tomorrow night.
It is understood Miles will attend the game predominantly to weigh up the Origin claims of Roosters forwards David Shillington and Chris Flannery. But he will also keep a close eye on Kaufusi and the returning Billy Slater.
"Mick's given me a massive wrap and it's good to know a player who has been there and performed at that level believes I am up to it," Kaufusi said last night.
"If the Queensland selectors came knocking I'd be only too happy to answer the call.
"I have always supported Queensland and one day I'd love to pull on that jersey. I don't know if it will happen this year, but even to be talked about or considered a chance is great."
Born in Tonga, Kaufusi spent much of his childhood in New Zealand before his family relocated to Bundaberg in far north Queensland.
The 21-year-old, represented Queensland under-19s in an Origin curtain-raiser in 2003 — the same year of his first-grade debut.
Former Storm prop Robbie Kearns has worked closely with Kaufusi and said there was no doubt the 190cm, 112kg, powder-keg could make an impact at Origin level.
But he questioned whether he would be ready at this stage of his career.
"I am a huge fan of Kaufusi, with his pace, size and power he could be anything," Kearns said.
"He definitely has what it takes to play at that level and he might have done a better job than a few of the guys that Queensland had there last time. But he probably needs to work on his consistency before he can really make his mark."
Coach Craig Bellamy said Kaufusi's achilles heel was his tendency to drift in and out of games.
"He is a big, powerful guy but I'd like to see him produce more on a weekly basis for us before he was thrown into an Origin," Bellamy said.
"He is getting better, but he still has some way to go."
Bellamy is likely to be forced into a tough decision tonight with Nathan Friend's ankle injury improving.
Friend had been expected to miss, opening the way for Slater's return from suspension on the bench.
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Gotta say i think Mick Crocker needs a drug test. I think Kaufusi has alot of potential....sadly ive been saying that for 3 years now. He is a solid front rower who has the occasional stand out game. As Bellamy mentions he will need to be much more damaging and consistent if he is going to play SOO.