Why Blues star's grandparents will finally see him play
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The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Even NSW back 'legendary' Papalii's Origin swansong
Even NSW's players can concede that bringing Josh Papalii out of representative retirement for the State of Origin decider has the makings of a Queensland masterstroke. Papalii's mission on July 9 is deceptively simple: turbo-charge both the belief of the inexperienced players and the physicality of the Maroons' pack. But NSW forward and Canberra teammate Hudson Young admits he was a little surprised to see Papalii accept coach Billy Slater's call to arms. The 33-year-old has a new-born baby at home and had retired from the Origin arena ahead of the 2023 series, focusing solely on current NRL ladder leaders the Raiders thereafter. But with the series on the line in Sydney, Papalii's comeback could hardly come at a more crucial time for Queensland. "He's been saying they've been trying to get him for a few years," Young told AAP. "To be honest, I was surprised he took the offer up. He's obviously been a great player for such a long time. His form this year has been incredible, it's well-deserved. "He probably wants to challenge himself one more time." Papalii filled a similar role as elder statesman on Samoa's run to a fairytale first World Cup final berth in 2022. It's how NSW's Samoan contingent know his inclusion for Queensland will be bigger than just what he can offer on the paddock. "He's definitely going to add more value to that team," NSW winger Brian To'o told AAP. "I think that's something that really inspires not just the Samoan boys, but everyone. I know all the Samoan boys really look up to him. "He's legendary in our culture. I know that he will definitely showcase that for the Maroons as well." Samoa and NSW playmaker Jarome Luai predicted Papalii's 24th and final Origin game would carry extra significance given a possible move overseas next season. Papalii has already confirmed he will not be at the Raiders next year and has yet to sign elsewhere for 2026, though has been linked with English club St Helens. "It's a bit of a last ride for him," Luai said. "To have an experienced guy like that who's done it all in the game, he's played at a high level for so long, he can speak of his experiences, I think even being around the group, it'll be a lot better. "I'm sure he'll get up for it, the boys will get up for it for him." Even NSW's players can concede that bringing Josh Papalii out of representative retirement for the State of Origin decider has the makings of a Queensland masterstroke. Papalii's mission on July 9 is deceptively simple: turbo-charge both the belief of the inexperienced players and the physicality of the Maroons' pack. But NSW forward and Canberra teammate Hudson Young admits he was a little surprised to see Papalii accept coach Billy Slater's call to arms. The 33-year-old has a new-born baby at home and had retired from the Origin arena ahead of the 2023 series, focusing solely on current NRL ladder leaders the Raiders thereafter. But with the series on the line in Sydney, Papalii's comeback could hardly come at a more crucial time for Queensland. "He's been saying they've been trying to get him for a few years," Young told AAP. "To be honest, I was surprised he took the offer up. He's obviously been a great player for such a long time. His form this year has been incredible, it's well-deserved. "He probably wants to challenge himself one more time." Papalii filled a similar role as elder statesman on Samoa's run to a fairytale first World Cup final berth in 2022. It's how NSW's Samoan contingent know his inclusion for Queensland will be bigger than just what he can offer on the paddock. "He's definitely going to add more value to that team," NSW winger Brian To'o told AAP. "I think that's something that really inspires not just the Samoan boys, but everyone. I know all the Samoan boys really look up to him. "He's legendary in our culture. I know that he will definitely showcase that for the Maroons as well." Samoa and NSW playmaker Jarome Luai predicted Papalii's 24th and final Origin game would carry extra significance given a possible move overseas next season. Papalii has already confirmed he will not be at the Raiders next year and has yet to sign elsewhere for 2026, though has been linked with English club St Helens. "It's a bit of a last ride for him," Luai said. "To have an experienced guy like that who's done it all in the game, he's played at a high level for so long, he can speak of his experiences, I think even being around the group, it'll be a lot better. "I'm sure he'll get up for it, the boys will get up for it for him." Even NSW's players can concede that bringing Josh Papalii out of representative retirement for the State of Origin decider has the makings of a Queensland masterstroke. Papalii's mission on July 9 is deceptively simple: turbo-charge both the belief of the inexperienced players and the physicality of the Maroons' pack. But NSW forward and Canberra teammate Hudson Young admits he was a little surprised to see Papalii accept coach Billy Slater's call to arms. The 33-year-old has a new-born baby at home and had retired from the Origin arena ahead of the 2023 series, focusing solely on current NRL ladder leaders the Raiders thereafter. But with the series on the line in Sydney, Papalii's comeback could hardly come at a more crucial time for Queensland. "He's been saying they've been trying to get him for a few years," Young told AAP. "To be honest, I was surprised he took the offer up. He's obviously been a great player for such a long time. His form this year has been incredible, it's well-deserved. "He probably wants to challenge himself one more time." Papalii filled a similar role as elder statesman on Samoa's run to a fairytale first World Cup final berth in 2022. It's how NSW's Samoan contingent know his inclusion for Queensland will be bigger than just what he can offer on the paddock. "He's definitely going to add more value to that team," NSW winger Brian To'o told AAP. "I think that's something that really inspires not just the Samoan boys, but everyone. I know all the Samoan boys really look up to him. "He's legendary in our culture. I know that he will definitely showcase that for the Maroons as well." Samoa and NSW playmaker Jarome Luai predicted Papalii's 24th and final Origin game would carry extra significance given a possible move overseas next season. Papalii has already confirmed he will not be at the Raiders next year and has yet to sign elsewhere for 2026, though has been linked with English club St Helens. "It's a bit of a last ride for him," Luai said. "To have an experienced guy like that who's done it all in the game, he's played at a high level for so long, he can speak of his experiences, I think even being around the group, it'll be a lot better. "I'm sure he'll get up for it, the boys will get up for it for him."
West Australian
3 hours ago
- West Australian
Sport and Recreation Minister Rita Saffioti says WA ‘stands ready' to host State of Origin spectacle
Rita Saffioti has remained tight-lipped on the details of a proposal put forward by the AFL for a State of Origin match between WA and Victoria next year but says the State 'stands ready' to host the game. As revealed by The Sunday Times, the State Government is understood to have received a detailed proposal from the AFL last month for a game to be played at Optus Stadium in February. Asked on Sunday about the plan, Ms Saffioti, the Minister for Sport and Recreation, said there had been 'a lot of ongoing discussions' but would not 'go into detail about what's been proposed'. 'But there has been a proposal put forward and we are having a look at it,' she said. 'But as I said, it's really going to be depending, it's an informal proposal, on the AFL clubs and the AFL ultimately agreeing to it.' Ms Saffioti said the State Government was working ' really hard' to make sure WA is the host State. She again pointed to the success of the Indigenous All-Stars v Dockers exhibition clash in February as proof there would be interest in reviving State of Origin. 'We are really excited by the prospect and we've engaged very actively and proactively on this,' she said. 'As I said, ultimately it's a decision for the AFL and the clubs but WA has put its hand up saying that if there's a State of Origin, we want it in WA. 'We believe it would be an incredible game and many, many West Australians remember going and watching some of those incredible State of Origin clashes at Subi (Subiaco) and the WACA and the time. 'So we think bringing back the State of Origin and having it in WA would be a great thing. I think Western Australia, we have the venue, and we have the spectators that are very keen to turn up. 'We've demonstrated that West Australians love these events, love these iconic games, and we stand very ready to be hosting a State of Origin in football.' Ms Saffioti would not be drawn when asked if it would form part of WA's pitch to 'pinch' the Gather Round off South Australia, saying 'that's, I suppose, a discussion for another day'. The first State of Origin match was in 1977 between Victoria and WA, with the Victorians winning a first game by 63 points. Later that same year the boys from the west got their revenge with a 94-point win. The WA versus Victoria games were legendary, with the late Ted Whitten's 'Stuck it right up em, that's what you did. You stuck it right up em' whenever Victoria beat WA becoming part of footy folklore. With the WA Government and AFL backing a return of the match, the last remaining hurdle appears to be convincing current coaches and sides, as well as the AFL Players Association, to agree on the Perth match. The sticking point has mainly been around timing. At a Captains Day at the MCG earlier this year, Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield said players were in favour of State of Origin but the timing of the match was crucial. Already, it has been speculated that Carlton's Patrick Cripps would most likely captain a WA State of Origin side, with Max Gawn, Patrick Dangerfield and Marcus Bontempelli all in the mix to lead Victoria's side. One of the exciting prospects could be the sight of West Coast's Harley Reid potentially playing in a Victorian jumper matched up against WA's Chad Warner, from the Sydney Swans. 'We understand, and not directly but indirectly, that many of the players are really keen to be playing for WA, in particular those players who have moved over east and are playing for Victorian and other state-based clubs,' Ms Saffioti said. 'They are keen to be able to pull on the yellow and black jersey, the Western Australian jumper, because of their experience of growing up watching incredible State of Origin games.'
News.com.au
4 hours ago
- News.com.au
Cameron Munster rocked by dad's death days before Origin series decider
Queensland captain Cameron Munster has been rocked by the death of his dad just days before the State of Origin series decider. The death of Munster's dad Steven was confirmed by Maroons coach Billy Slater on Sunday morning. He said the Melbourne Storm playmaker has indicated he still intends to play in Wednesday night's series decider in Sydney. 'Unfortunately we woke to the sad news of the passing of Cameron Munster's father Steven Munster overnight,' Slater said, as first reported by Code Sports. 'Cam will exit camp to be with his family before rejoining his team for the game on Wednesday. 'On behalf of myself and our footy team and the state of Queensland, we send our thoughts, our love and condolences to Steven Munster's family and friends, in particular his wife Debbie, his daughter Danielle and of course his son Cameron. Thanks.' Munster has previously spoken about his dad's long battle managing his diabetes condition. According to Code, Queensland officials offered Munster an opportunity to stand down from the game, but the Maroons' No. 6 will be there for the series finale. The 30-year-old captained his state for the first time in Origin Game 2 in Perth, where the Maroons pulled off a win for the ages. It had already been an emotionally draining month for Munster, who replaced Daly Cherry-Evans as Queensland captain after the team were blown off the park in the series opener. He returned to Melbourne to be with his family after Origin Game 2 before joining his teammates in Sydney ahead of their Round 16 match against the Rabbitohs. Munster has arguably been Queensland's greatest player over the last 10 years and has earned comparisons with Maroons icon Wally Lewis. His decision to play on Wednesday night would be another inspirational move from the new Queensland skipper. Muster has always worn his heart on his sleeve on the football field and let his emotions pour out in a classy defence of Slater following the Maroons' Game 2 victory. 'With all the pressure and criticism that Billy Slater has been getting, we're just glad we played for him tonight,' Munster said. 'He deserves everything, he loves Queensland and he loves this group. 'There's been a lot of speculation in the media, we needed to turn up for our coach tonight and we f***ing did.' The Queensland Rugby League (QRL) has not announced when Munster will return to camp.
