1. Felise Kaufusi was born on 19 May 1992 and is a professional rugby league footballer from New Zealand who plays as a second-row or prop forward for the Dolphins in the National Rugby League, and has played for Tonga and Australia at international level.
Felise Kaufusi previously played for the Melbourne Storm and won the 2017 NRL Grand Final and 2020 NRL Grand Finals with them.
Felise Kaufusi is the younger brother of Antonio and older brother of Patrick.
At age seven, Felise Kaufusi moved to Australia and was educated at Shalom Catholic College, Bundaberg.
Felise Kaufusi played junior football for the Bundaberg Brothers before being signed by the North Queensland Cowboys.
On 2 July 2015, Felise Kaufusi re-signed with the Storm on a two-year contract.
On 7 May 2016, Felise Kaufusi played for Tonga against Samoa in the 2016 Polynesian Cup.
Felise Kaufusi finished the 2016 NRL season having played in twenty-one matches and scoring four tries for the Storm.
On 21 April 2017, Felise Kaufusi re-signed with the Storm to the end of the 2019 season.
Felise Kaufusi finished the 2017 NRL season having played in all of the Storm's twenty-seven matches and scored nine tries.
Two days after the Grand Final win, Felise Kaufusi was selected in the Kangaroos squad for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.
In Round 1 of 2018, Felise Kaufusi suffered a hamstring injury and was sidelined for three weeks.
Felise Kaufusi made his debut for Queensland in Game 1 of the 2018 State of Origin series, starting at second-row in all three games.
Felise Kaufusi then featured in the Melbourne Storm's grand final loss to the Sydney Roosters.
Felise Kaufusi played in twenty-one games for the Storm in 2018, scoring five tries.
Felise Kaufusi played for Australia in the end of season tests vs New Zealand and Tonga.
Felise Kaufusi played twenty-five games for Melbourne in the 2019 NRL season.
In round 2 of the 2021 NRL season against Parramatta, Felise Kaufusi was placed on report suspended for three games after tackling Parramatta player Ryan Matterson, who subsequently missed the following five matches.
In round 10, Felise Kaufusi was placed on report for tripping a St George Illawarra but later beat the charge, and was then selected for Queensland to play in the 2021 State of Origin series.
Felise Kaufusi was selected by Queensland for game one of the 2022 State of Origin series.
Felise Kaufusi played twenty-one games for Melbourne in the 2022 NRL season including the club's elimination final loss to Canberra.
Internationally, Felise Kaufusi was selected to represent Tonga in a three-Test series against England that commenced at St Helens' Totally Wicked Stadium on 22 October 2023.
In game 1 of the 2024 State of Origin series, Felise Kaufusi became the first 18th man to be activated into state of origin due to Reece Walsh being fouled out of the game following a high tackle by Joseph Suaalii which he was sent from the field for.
Felise Kaufusi played 18 games for the Dolphins in the 2024 NRL season as the club finished 10th on the table.