Queensland backrower Felise Kaufusi is no fan of rugby league’s six-again rule, particularly in the lightning-fast pace of a State of Origin match.
The Maroons gave away four set restarts during their 34-10 loss to New South Wales in Sydney on Wednesday as a Blue wave washed over them.
From midway through the first half, NSW dominated possession and territory as they steamrolled the Maroons.
It’s an experience Kaufusi doesn’t want to repeat in next week’s decider at Suncorp Stadium.
“It is tough that six-again. It is a pain in the arse,” the Melbourne Storm premiership winner said.
“You are just on the back foot and it hurts even more when it comes late in the tackle count.
“It is hard to defend in club land, let alone in State of Origin.”
Another who felt the pinch was Maroons fullback Valentine Holmes.
The North Queensland flyer was suspended for game one and hadn’t played a match since late September.
He said the six-again rule made Wednesday’s game a vastly different experience to the five Origins he played before attempting his hand in the NFL in 2018.
“The game’s faster with the new rules, a lot of kicks stay in-field,” Holmes said.
“It’s usually a tough and quick game through the middle. That’s where we need to be better.”
In many ways “be better” will be Queensland’s catchcry as they attempt to win their first Origin series in three years in front of a packed Suncorp Stadium.
Kaufusi is one of those Maroons who knows he didn’t put in his best performance on Wednesday and is eager to set the record straight.
“We came back with our tail between our legs and obviously there is a lot of improvement to do,” he said.
“In saying that we are all pretty confident in what we can do.
“The big positive is that we are playing in front of our fans at Suncorp so we will build as the week goes on.”