Queensland debutant Kulikefu Finefeuiaki credits giving up a family favourite Tongan dish as one reason why he is now a streamlined wrecking ball set to unleash his best in State of Origin.
The 22-year-old Dolphin and Tonga international wasn’t always the athletic beast and 80-minute second-rower he is now.
"Young Kuli was a bit chubbier back then," the new Maroons forward chuckled.
"Looking back, every time I was running on the field I was getting a bit too tired so I had to lay off the food."
One particular dish - Lu Sipi - was his go-to, expertly prepared by his father.
"Lu Sipi is taro leaves with lamb, onions and coconut cream. I was having it a bit too much, credit to my dad," he said.
"Sorry dad … it tastes good but it is not good for you.
"Young Kuli liked to live life and play footy with his cousins and his older brothers. Growing up that's what made footy grow bigger. It gave me more desire to try and make it a job and a life."
The "life" of young Kuli took a turn for the better with a momentous family decision.
When Finefeuiaki was 11 he moved from New Zealand to Ipswich with his parents for "a better life and better opportunities".
"It was a blessing in disguise," he said.
"I lived in Mangere in South Auckland and it was a pretty tough area to grow up in. There was a lot of violence and a lot of things you don't want to see as a little kid, so my parents made the decision to move to Ipswich."
He played his junior footy with Redbank Plains Bears, who are part of his support crew.
"They sent me a few photos from back then. Holy heck, there was a massive difference," he chuckled.
Ipswich was the making of Finefeuiaki as a footballer.
"It's pretty cool," he said.
"There are a lot of greats come out of there like Alfie Langer. He went to Ipswich State High. I went to Ipswich State High. We've got (Maroons half) Sammy Walker here and he is from Ipswich as well.
"For me to be a part of that rich history is pretty special."
Finefeuiaki, who will come off the bench in the second State of Origin clash in Melbourne on June 17, has been in Maroons camp before, where he learned plenty from established Queensland forwards Kurt Capewell and Reuben Cotter about doing extras and following a good diet.
"I had to change a lot of island food that wasn't good for me," he grinned.
Finefeuiaki feels "grateful and blessed" that coach Billy Slater called him with the good news about his debut.
"To get that phone call from Billy was pretty emotional. I told mum and had a bit of a cry," he said.
Young Kuli grew up idolising Maroons legend Greg Inglis and will take his mentality into his Origin debut.
"I know he put a lot of fear in the Blues with the way he carried and tackled. He wore his heart on his sleeve for the state of Queensland," he said.
"I reckon a lot of young Queenslanders look up to him and I know that some of them will try and base their game off Greg Inglis.
"I've just got to go out there, switch on and turn it on."
His younger self would no doubt approve?
"I reckon young Kuli when he was 10 or 11 would be pretty proud," he said.
"Queensland gave my family a second chance at life. I pull on this jersey for my family and I just want to repay the state of Queensland."
