Early career

From 2010 to 2012, Kaufusi played for the North Queensland Cowboys' NYC team,^[7][8] including their 2011 NYC Grand Final 30-31 golden point extra time loss to the New Zealand Warriors.^[9] In 2013, he moved on to the Cowboys' Queensland Cup team, Northern Pride RLFC.^[10] The following year, Kaufusi played for the Queensland Residents against the New South Wales Residents.^[11]

Melbourne Storm (2015-2022)

In Round 1 of the 2015 NRL season, Kaufusi made his NRL debut for the Melbourne Storm against the St. George Illawarra Dragons, playing off the interchange bench in the 12-4 win at Jubilee Oval.^[12][13] In Round 4 against the North Queensland Cowboys, Kaufusi scored his first NRL career try in the Storm’s 18-17 loss at 1300SMILES Stadium.^[14] On 2 May 2015, he played for Tonga against Samoa in the Polynesian Cup.^[15] On 2 July 2015, Kaufusi re-signed with the Storm on a two-year contract.^[16]

On 7 May 2016, Kaufusi played for Tonga against Samoa in the 2016 Polynesian Cup.^[17] On 6 July, he was named as 18th man for Queensland in Game 3 of the 2016 State of Origin series.^[18] Kaufusi was named as 18th man for the Storm in their 2016 NRL Grand Final clash against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks but didn’t play in the 12-14 loss.^[19] Kaufusi finished the 2016 NRL season having played in twenty-one matches and scoring four tries for the Storm.

On 21 April 2017, Kaufusi re-signed with the Storm to the end of the 2019 season.^[20] On 6 May 2017, he played for Tonga against Fiji in the 2017 Pacific Test, where he started at second-row in the 26-24 win at Campbelltown Stadium.^[21] During the season, Kaufusi took over the void second-row position from the departed Kevin Proctor and was instrumental for the Storm to their run leading up to the Finals series when they won the Minor Premiership trophy.^[22] In the Storm’s 2017 NRL Grand Final 34-6 victory against the North Queensland Cowboys, Kaufusi started at second-row and scored a try.^[23][24] 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, Kaufusi was selected in the Kangaroos squad for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.^[25][26] On 3 November 2017, Kaufusi made his test debut for Australia against France, where he played off the interchange bench in the 52-6 win at Canberra Stadium.^[27][28]

In Round 1 of 2018, Kaufusi suffered a hamstring injury being sidelined for three weeks. In May, he signed a two-year extension to remain with the Melbourne Storm.^[29]

Kaufusi made his debut for Queensland in Game 1 of the 2018 State of Origin series, starting at second-row in all three games. He then featured in the Melbourne Storm's grand final loss to the Sydney Roosters. Kaufusi played in twenty-one games for the Storm in 2018, scoring five tries. He also played for Australia in the end of season tests vs New Zealand and Tonga.^[30]

Kaufusi played twenty-five games for Melbourne in the 2019 NRL season. Although Melbourne finished as minor premiers, they were defeated by the Sydney Roosters in the preliminary final.^[31] In the 2020 NRL season, Kaufusi played twenty-one games for Melbourne including the club's 2020 NRL Grand Final victory over Penrith.^[32] In round 2 of the 2021 NRL season against Parramatta, Kaufusi was placed on report suspended for three games after tackling Parramatta player Ryan Matterson, who subsequently missed the following five matches.^[33] In round 10, 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.^[34]

Kaufusi was selected by Queensland for game one of the 2022 State of Origin series. In game two, he scored a try but was later sin binned for a professional foul during Queensland's 12-44 loss against New South Wales.^[35] Kaufusi played twenty-one games for Melbourne in the 2022 NRL season including the club's elimination final loss to Canberra.^[36]

Dolphins (2023-present)

In round 1 of the 2023 NRL season, Kaufusi made his club debut for the Dolphins^[37][38] in their inaugural game in the national competition, defeating the Sydney Roosters 28-18 at Suncorp Stadium.^[39] After a late tackle in round 3 against the Newcastle Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium, Kaufusi was suspended on a dangerous contact charge for the next four games (rounds 4-7).^[40] In round 10 against the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks at Suncorp Stadium, Kaufusi captained the Dolphins in their 36-16 victory at Suncorp Stadium.^[41] In the second minute of round 12 against the Melbourne Storm at Suncorp Stadium, Kaufusi was sin-binned for a grade-two careless high tackle ^[42] and suspended for the next three rounds.^[43]

Internationally, 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.^[44]

Club

• 2016 NRL Grand Final – Runner-up
• 2017 NRL Grand Final – Winners
• 2018 World Club Challenge – Winners
• 2018 NRL Grand Final – Runner-up
• 2020 NRL Grand Final – Winners

Individual

Melbourne Storm

• 2017 – Most Improved Player of the Year