Legend UNHAPPY with controversial sin bins: Billy Slater Podcast Ep11
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The Advertiser
6 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."
News.com.au
8 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.
Sky News AU
9 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Queensland captain Cameron Munster leaves Origin camp following tragic death of father
Rugby League superstar Cameron Munster has been rocked by the devastating death of his father, Steven. Munster was in Maroons Camp when he got word of the devastating news of his father's shock death overnight. The newly appointed Queensland Captain will leave his team's camp just days out from the State of Origin series decider. He will return home to be with his family and then rejoin the team on Wednesday to play Game 3 in Sydney. Maroons coach Billy Slater stood with his squad as he made a statement to the media on Sunday morning. "Unfortunately, we woke to the sad news of the passing of Cameron Munster's father, Steven Munster, overnight,' Slater said. 'Cam will exit camp to be with his family before rejoining his team for the game on Wednesday. "On behalf of myself, 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.' Munster's NRL team the Melbourne Storm also released a statement following their player's loss. 'Melbourne Storm wishes to offer its deepest condolences to the Munster family following the passing of Cameron's father Steve overnight,' the statement said. 'Steve was a beloved member of the Storm family and an incredible supporter of Cameron and the Club. 'He was a regular in the Storm sheds and at events along with his wife, Deborah, and was a constant presence at his State of Origin and Australian representative matches.' The Melbourne Storm five-eighth will be looking to seal a Maroons victory on Wednesday night in his 21st Origin appearance. The 30-year-old was man of the match in his first game as captain, winning 26-24 in Game 2 at Perth. Queensland's victory now means a series decider in Sydney, after New South Wales won Game 1 in Brisbane, 18-6. No Maroons side in 45 years has lost the first game and won the next two away from home. Munster said his side will have to relish the underdog status and break another record to ensure victory lands in Queensland's lap come Wednesday night. "There's a lot riding on it and there's a lot of history that needs to be broken, but things tend to get broken," Munster said post-match in Perth. "I'm probably going to need to stand up again for Game three and I'll make sure I do. "I have played in a decider in Sydney when we just got beaten by them in the last two minutes. We had come back in a miraculous way. "I think we were down 14 points at one stage, but then Tedesco scored and broke our hearts.'
