Cowboys find gold in Storm
August 21st 2008 10:18
Kaufusi is a great signing for the Cowboys
Australian and Queensland prop Antonio Kaufusi will join the Nth Qld Cowboys on a three year deal in 2009 - news that will no doubt please incoming coach Neil Henry.
After losing New Zealand international Sione Faumuina to Castleford next season, the Cowboys simply had to purchase a high quality forward and Kaufusi firms as the perfect replacement.
Although injury has disrupted his career somewhat at the Melbourne Storm, Kaufusi is a giant - and a strong one at that.
On his day, he can be the most aggressive forward on a footy pitch and has been earmarked as the man to take Petero Civoncieva’s place in the Maroons forward line for future State of Origin matches.
As the salary cap starts to bite Melbourne, the Cowboys will be licking their lips at the prospect of having a 23 year old international who is yet to realise his true potential.
Cowboys halfback Johnathon Thurston will most likely be the player that benefits from Kaufusi’s presence in the side.
Too long has Thurston played behind a beaten forward pack that does not have enough punch and ball playing skill to worry the top teams.
With the exception of front rowers Carl Webb, Luke O’Donnell and Matthew Scott, the Cowboy lack a front rower or two that can play before the line and cause opposition defences to second guess an attacking threat.
When you compare the Cowboys with the likes of Melbourne, Manly, the Roosters and Cronulla, Nth Qld can not match their creativity in the forwards and will continue to struggle with such a slow, dormant pack of big men.
The Sea Eagles have great ball playing forwards featuring Steve Menzies, Glen Stewart and Anthony Watmough. The Storm have Ryan Hoffman and Dallas Johnson while the Roosters can count on the likes of Willie Mason, Anthony Tupou and Anthony Cherrington.
Even the Sharks - with Paul Gallen and Greg Bird - can keep defences on their toes.
While the Cowboys will need more than forward power to push them out of the hole they currently find themselves in, there is no doubt Kaufusi will lead the charge as he brings the aura of success from Melbourne down to Dairy Farmers stadium.
At 190cm and 114kg, Kaufusi is an imposing figure with the ability to break the line and offload in a fashion that will put Cowboys fans on notice for next season.
The Norths Devils product will provide a fear factor to a Cowboys side that has been chewed up and spat out in season 2008.
It is likely Kaufusi will have to begin from the bottom again after experiencing so much highs under Storm coach Craig Bellamy.
Although he will go from premiership winner to wooden spoon contender, Kaufusi has the chance to take the law into his own hands and become a leader for a club that is desperately craving success.
But if he is to be successful up in Nth Qld, the Cowboys must come up with the structure to suit their new signing’s game breaking capabilities.
If the Cowboys want to re-emerge from their season of woe in 2008, they must add a new offensive dimension to their forward pack. One which will serve the likes of Thurston and Matthew Bowen with the chances to showcase the skills that have made them match winners.
Adding Kaufusi to their roster is the perfect step ahead. It just shows gold can come in any shape or form for the Cowboys.
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