Finefeuiaki on the cusp of repaying family sacrifice

Barnstorming second-rower Kulikefu Finefeuiaki will be soaking up every moment in Camp Maroon this week on the off chance he's called up to rip in and knock over any Blue in his way.

The Dolphins powerhouse was watching the post-game wrap of Sunday's Magic Round action with his mum and dad when he was informed he was 20th man in Billy Slater's squad - as his parents hovered over him trying to eavesdrop on his chat with the Queensland coach.

"The footy finished up and then got the call from Billy and mum and dad basically just turned off the TV and tried to listen to what he was saying," Finefeuiaki said. 

“It was pretty special. I told my mum and dad I got into the squad and they were just lost for words, so I'm happy I'm making them proud."

After entering camp on Monday, the 22-year-old will take a hiatus from the Maroons to travel with the Dolphins to Canberra for their Round 12 NRL clash with the Raiders, before rejoining the Queensland squad on Friday.

While he grew up in New Zealand, 'Kuli' was a staunch Maroons fan even before the Finefeuiaki family - including his two older brothers - packed up and moved to Ipswich for his 12th birthday in pursuit of a better life.

“It was tough. I grew up in Mangere, it's in south Auckland, it was an area that no one wants to go too because a lot of crime and a lot of violent stuff goes on in there," Finefeuiaki said.

"Growing up, mum and dad didn't have enough, but they made sure that we had something, so it's a credit to them and all their sacrifices for us, so I'm coming here to repay them for all of that.

"I supported Queensland even though we lived in New Zealand and I was always going for Queensland, no matter what.

"Then I moved over here and bought into it a bit more, got taught about it and since then, I've just been wanting to play for this team and for the state as well.

"Ipswich gave my family a second chance at life, so it gave us a better opportunity, so I not only get to represent myself, my family, but Ipswich as well."

Finefeuiaki embraced the chance learn about Ipswich's rich rugby league history and play the game for the first time at the Redbank Plains Bears - although it was a steep learning curve.

"We were basically playing union back in New Zealand, I think my first ever game I got tackled and I tried to put the ball back like (a rugby union ruck)," Finefeuiaki said.

"All I heard from my dad was: ‘Get up, play the ball!’ 

"I was like: 'What do you mean?' 

"I just got used to training, just got used to the rules, got used to the game. Especially Redbank, they gave me a lot."

The talent has been clear since, paving the way for his NRL debut for the Cowboys before his Dolphins move closer to home and Test footy with Tonga.

However, there has been one thing holding him back from the consistent elite performance he needed to produce to put himself on the Origin radar.

“Oh, diet. Too much island food, yeah. Way too much island food, too much fatty in them, so I cut them out and just have them on a Sunday for family feeds," Finefeuiaki said.

“Coconut cream, taro, too much."

If he gets the opportunity, he's ready to run through a brick wall, and should he continue to impress he will have no shortage of suitors by the time Rugby League World Cup 2026 rolls around.

Finefeuiaki played for Tonga in the 2025 Pacific Championships, but is also Samoa eligible through his mum's side, the Kiwis by birth and Kangaroos by residency.

But for now, the focus is on playing well for the Dolphins and making sure he is ready to step up if he can snare a Maroons debut.