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Queensland prop free to play Origin II after elbow not sanctioned

Felise Kaufusi during a Queensland Maroons State of Origin training session at Sanctuary Cove on June 06, 2022 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Queensland star Felise Kaufusi is free to play in State of Origin II after he escaped with a fine for his elbow to the head of Sydney Roosters halfback Sam Walker.

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Kaufusi has been handed a grade-one dangerous contact charge for the first-half incident in Melbourne’s win over the Roosters on Saturday night.

The Storm second-rower first tried to bump Walker off in a tackle, before he then appeared to drive his head into the ground as they went down.

The teenage playmaker was taken off the field for a HIA, but was cleared of any concussion and returned in the second half.

Working in television commentary, NSW coaching advisor Greg Alexander was among those who were critical, claiming Kaufusi had deliberately driven Walker’s head down.

Had Kaufusi been handed a grade-two charge, he would have faced a minimum of two games on the sideline even with an early guilty plea.

That would have meant him missing Origin Game II for the Maroons in Perth on June 26.

But he will instead be able to take an $1800 fine with a guilty plea, while that would grow to $2500 if he was to fight it and lose.

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Kaufusi was given a two-week ban by the NRL for a similar incident involving Parramatta’s Ryan Matterson last season.

“I didn’t see it but I don’t think he got penalised for it,” Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy said after play.

“You think if there was something that was wrong with it you’d expect the bunker to step in if it wasn’t within the rules.”

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Another 6 hours ago
Razor's 2024 All Blacks Christmas wish list

"It seems like the idea of Ardie Savea moving to openside flanker is no longer on the table"


Says who? Savea was picked on the open side, with Wallace Sititi at 8, against France. It makes no difference to Savea’s game, whatsoever and allows Sititi to play in his preferred position. It also provides an option to bring in a third loose forward that may provide a better lineout option and a big body to compete with some of the big bodies found in other teams.


It was unfortunate that Finau was injured so early on against France before he had a chance to show how he might combine with Savea and Sititi, and there is still a possibility that Hoskins Sotutu might be effective alongside them too.


Don’t count out viable options.

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