Papalii arrives with his future clouded. But now, he can cement his legacy
The veteran enforcer is eager to play on, yet it appears all but certain it will not be for his beloved Canberra Raiders.
It has led to suggestions he could embark for a stint in England, but what he did confirm was this would be his final Queensland hurrah.
'Overtaking Jason Croker down there with the most games for Canberra Raiders is very special, and that's how I want to keep it,' Papalii said.
'But if the team that you're playing for is not offering you another contract, and you want to play on, you've obviously got to look elsewhere.
'I'm still unsure, I feel like I still got a lot to offer as a player and as a mentor and just being an older head.
'Never say never. I still feel like I've got a lot of footy in me, whether that's in the NRL or Super League.'
Josh Papalii
But when Maroons coach Billy Slater dialled his number, there was no uncertainty around Papalii's decision to end his State of Origin hiatus, having retired from representative rugby league on the eve of the 2023 series.
'I missed the first couple of calls because my little fella and my wife were still in hospital at the time and there were a few complications with my little one,' Papalii revealed.
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'I spoke to Bill when I had that little break, and he asked me one question and said if I had one more game in me. I replied with an 'F Bomb' and said yes, I had one more left.
'It's definitely my last … I'm still buzzing just being back in Maroon.'
Papalii enters Queensland's Sunshine Coast camp with an aura the rest of an under siege forward pack is eager to feed off.
Despite forcing a decider, the Maroons engine room has been unable to dominate their New South Wales rivals – spearheaded by Broncos' superstar Payne Haas.
Those south of the border questioned why Queensland brought a 33-year-old out of the wilderness to match them up front, given he has not experienced the game's most daunting furnace for three years.
According to fellow Maroons prop Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, the doubters could not be more wrong, but they would have to wait for the reason to be revealed.
'We've just got to wait until Wednesday, that's all I've got to say. They can say whatever they want, but we know what Paps brings to this team, and they obviously don't know that,' Fa'asuamaleaui said.
'He's one of my idols, he's in my top five players that I've ever played with, if not number one. He just brings that confidence for the whole group.
'His aura, he's a gentle giant, and he loves a laugh, and he just brings everyone together. The aura he has just gives us confidence to do our role, and we just get behind it.'
The numbers across the opening two 2025 encounters is telling for the influence and physicality Papalii can inflict in the decider in Sydney.
The Blues have run for more post-contact metres (1091 to 856) and tackle busts (80 to 52), while even in their Perth victory Queensland were kept to less than 30 metres per set on average.
Even Fa'asuamleaui has been below his best – his 90 running metres a game a complete contrast to 151 he has produced for the Gold Coast.
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Papalii's SOS led to the axing of Moeaki Fotuaika, who after copping the brunt of criticism in game one – running for 38 metres from four carries – produced a far more emphatic 23-minute stint.
'I think everyone sees the errors that myself and he's made and think that's our whole performance,' Fa'asuamaleaui said.
'But it's much bigger than that. Our teammates, our coaching staff, know what we bring. I thought Moe's been very good, and he was unlucky to miss out on this camp, but he'll be rooting for us.'
Even 321 NRL and 23 Origin games into his career, Papalii has found a way to remain the wrecking ball which made him a Raiders and Maroons legend – with approximately 40 per cent of his total metres this season post-contact.
He has also missed just nine tackles, but when asked why he could inspire a Maroons' boilover, he squashed the idea it would be anything special.
'You don't really get many special things out of front rowers these days anyway, so I just need to come and do my job and hopefully that can contribute to a win next Wednesday,' Papalii said.
'I'm a massive believer and I know what I can do, I know what I bring and I feel like my game's made for it.'
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The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Josh Papalii could play against Raiders in 2026
Canberra great Josh Papalii insists he still has a lot to offer as a player and has kept the option of playing elsewhere in the NRL in 2026 open. The 33-year-old prop is back with the Queensland team ahead of his 24th and final State of Origin game and was asked in Maroons camp about his club future. Papalii now has the most games in the top grade for the Raiders but will not be at the club next year. While Super League has been touted as the competition where he will finish his career, Papalii is yet to make a call on his next move. "I'm still unsure," he said. "I feel like I still got a lot to offer as a player and as a mentor and just being an older head I still feel like I can still play good footy, and I think our season down in Canberra is sort of showing that. "Holding the record for Canberra now and overtaking Jason Croker down there with the most games for Canberra Raiders is obviously very special, and that's how I sort of want to keep it. "But if the team that you're playing for is not offering you another contract for the following year and you want to play on, you've obviously got to look elsewhere. "You never say never. I still feel like I've got a lot of footy in me, whether that's in the NRL or Super League." Papalii won't be available for Saturday's home clash with St George Illawarra due to his Origin commitments. The top-of-the-table Raiders are marching towards a minor premiership and the 321-game Papalii has been a prime reason why. He's playing great and enjoying it at the same time. "You put an older head amongst younger boys, there's a bit of control and obviously a bit of fun off-field and all that," he said. "We know how to go about our work. I'm just taking it one week at a time. I am a bit older, but a bit wiser too, I think." Canberra great Josh Papalii insists he still has a lot to offer as a player and has kept the option of playing elsewhere in the NRL in 2026 open. The 33-year-old prop is back with the Queensland team ahead of his 24th and final State of Origin game and was asked in Maroons camp about his club future. Papalii now has the most games in the top grade for the Raiders but will not be at the club next year. While Super League has been touted as the competition where he will finish his career, Papalii is yet to make a call on his next move. "I'm still unsure," he said. "I feel like I still got a lot to offer as a player and as a mentor and just being an older head I still feel like I can still play good footy, and I think our season down in Canberra is sort of showing that. "Holding the record for Canberra now and overtaking Jason Croker down there with the most games for Canberra Raiders is obviously very special, and that's how I sort of want to keep it. "But if the team that you're playing for is not offering you another contract for the following year and you want to play on, you've obviously got to look elsewhere. "You never say never. I still feel like I've got a lot of footy in me, whether that's in the NRL or Super League." Papalii won't be available for Saturday's home clash with St George Illawarra due to his Origin commitments. The top-of-the-table Raiders are marching towards a minor premiership and the 321-game Papalii has been a prime reason why. He's playing great and enjoying it at the same time. "You put an older head amongst younger boys, there's a bit of control and obviously a bit of fun off-field and all that," he said. "We know how to go about our work. I'm just taking it one week at a time. I am a bit older, but a bit wiser too, I think." Canberra great Josh Papalii insists he still has a lot to offer as a player and has kept the option of playing elsewhere in the NRL in 2026 open. The 33-year-old prop is back with the Queensland team ahead of his 24th and final State of Origin game and was asked in Maroons camp about his club future. Papalii now has the most games in the top grade for the Raiders but will not be at the club next year. While Super League has been touted as the competition where he will finish his career, Papalii is yet to make a call on his next move. "I'm still unsure," he said. "I feel like I still got a lot to offer as a player and as a mentor and just being an older head I still feel like I can still play good footy, and I think our season down in Canberra is sort of showing that. "Holding the record for Canberra now and overtaking Jason Croker down there with the most games for Canberra Raiders is obviously very special, and that's how I sort of want to keep it. "But if the team that you're playing for is not offering you another contract for the following year and you want to play on, you've obviously got to look elsewhere. "You never say never. I still feel like I've got a lot of footy in me, whether that's in the NRL or Super League." Papalii won't be available for Saturday's home clash with St George Illawarra due to his Origin commitments. The top-of-the-table Raiders are marching towards a minor premiership and the 321-game Papalii has been a prime reason why. He's playing great and enjoying it at the same time. "You put an older head amongst younger boys, there's a bit of control and obviously a bit of fun off-field and all that," he said. "We know how to go about our work. I'm just taking it one week at a time. I am a bit older, but a bit wiser too, I think."
The Advertiser
8 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Haas ready to face different Shibasaki in Origin arena
Payne Haas could see the difference in Queensland State of Origin bolter Gehamat Shibasaki from the moment he arrived at Brisbane this pre-season on a weekly $1000 train-and-trial deal. Once teenage teammates at the Broncos, Shibasaki and Haas will play on opposing teams in a senior match for just the second time in next week's series decider. But their path from Brisbane's under-20s team in 2017 to Accor Stadium next Wednesday night couldn't be any more different. While Haas has been the NRL's best front-rower for the past five years at Brisbane, Shibisaki has been on a rollercoaster ride to crack it in first grade. Like Haas, the centre debuted at the Broncos in 2018, but then found himself out the door to Newcastle where he also struggled for game time. A move to Japanese rugby with the Green Rockets Tokatsu followed in 2022, before he took up a train-and-trial deal with the North Queensland Cowboys. The 26-year-old then spent last year playing Queensland Cup in Townsville and had a week-to-week contract arrangement with South Sydney during their injury crisis. Another train-and-trial deal came at Brisbane this year, where Shibasaki was reunited with Haas who noticed a big difference. "He's way more dialled in," Haas said. "He took his training more seriously, the way he was eating, the way he was preparing for training, it was cool to see. "I knew he was serious about it. I knew he knew this was his last shot. He took it with both hands and he's never looked back." The difference is telling. Shibasaki's selection for Queensland is about as left field as it gets, but it comes in a year where he has scored 12 tries in 15 games for the Broncos. The centre has become the first player in history to be picked to play Origin while on a development deal, after being upgraded to one from his train-and-trial agreement. AAP understands the Bronco's current contract sits at just $85,000, but he will be upgraded to become a full-time member of Brisbane's NRL squad next year. "When I sat down with him on his first training session, I wasn't quite sure where he was going to get to," Broncos coach Michael Maguire said. "I can't tell you how hard he worked in the pre-season to give himself the opportunity." Haas insisted Shibasaki's talent had always been there, even if it had taken until seven years after his NRL debut for him to become a top-grade regular. "He's always been gifted, he was one of the best players growing up when we were kids," Haas said. "He lost his way a bit the last few years. But he's found his way back and I'm super proud of him. "He worked so hard, this was his last shot and he's taken it with both hands. "I just hate that he's a Queenslander." Payne Haas could see the difference in Queensland State of Origin bolter Gehamat Shibasaki from the moment he arrived at Brisbane this pre-season on a weekly $1000 train-and-trial deal. Once teenage teammates at the Broncos, Shibasaki and Haas will play on opposing teams in a senior match for just the second time in next week's series decider. But their path from Brisbane's under-20s team in 2017 to Accor Stadium next Wednesday night couldn't be any more different. While Haas has been the NRL's best front-rower for the past five years at Brisbane, Shibisaki has been on a rollercoaster ride to crack it in first grade. Like Haas, the centre debuted at the Broncos in 2018, but then found himself out the door to Newcastle where he also struggled for game time. A move to Japanese rugby with the Green Rockets Tokatsu followed in 2022, before he took up a train-and-trial deal with the North Queensland Cowboys. The 26-year-old then spent last year playing Queensland Cup in Townsville and had a week-to-week contract arrangement with South Sydney during their injury crisis. Another train-and-trial deal came at Brisbane this year, where Shibasaki was reunited with Haas who noticed a big difference. "He's way more dialled in," Haas said. "He took his training more seriously, the way he was eating, the way he was preparing for training, it was cool to see. "I knew he was serious about it. I knew he knew this was his last shot. He took it with both hands and he's never looked back." The difference is telling. Shibasaki's selection for Queensland is about as left field as it gets, but it comes in a year where he has scored 12 tries in 15 games for the Broncos. The centre has become the first player in history to be picked to play Origin while on a development deal, after being upgraded to one from his train-and-trial agreement. AAP understands the Bronco's current contract sits at just $85,000, but he will be upgraded to become a full-time member of Brisbane's NRL squad next year. "When I sat down with him on his first training session, I wasn't quite sure where he was going to get to," Broncos coach Michael Maguire said. "I can't tell you how hard he worked in the pre-season to give himself the opportunity." Haas insisted Shibasaki's talent had always been there, even if it had taken until seven years after his NRL debut for him to become a top-grade regular. "He's always been gifted, he was one of the best players growing up when we were kids," Haas said. "He lost his way a bit the last few years. But he's found his way back and I'm super proud of him. "He worked so hard, this was his last shot and he's taken it with both hands. "I just hate that he's a Queenslander." Payne Haas could see the difference in Queensland State of Origin bolter Gehamat Shibasaki from the moment he arrived at Brisbane this pre-season on a weekly $1000 train-and-trial deal. Once teenage teammates at the Broncos, Shibasaki and Haas will play on opposing teams in a senior match for just the second time in next week's series decider. But their path from Brisbane's under-20s team in 2017 to Accor Stadium next Wednesday night couldn't be any more different. While Haas has been the NRL's best front-rower for the past five years at Brisbane, Shibisaki has been on a rollercoaster ride to crack it in first grade. Like Haas, the centre debuted at the Broncos in 2018, but then found himself out the door to Newcastle where he also struggled for game time. A move to Japanese rugby with the Green Rockets Tokatsu followed in 2022, before he took up a train-and-trial deal with the North Queensland Cowboys. The 26-year-old then spent last year playing Queensland Cup in Townsville and had a week-to-week contract arrangement with South Sydney during their injury crisis. Another train-and-trial deal came at Brisbane this year, where Shibasaki was reunited with Haas who noticed a big difference. "He's way more dialled in," Haas said. "He took his training more seriously, the way he was eating, the way he was preparing for training, it was cool to see. "I knew he was serious about it. I knew he knew this was his last shot. He took it with both hands and he's never looked back." The difference is telling. Shibasaki's selection for Queensland is about as left field as it gets, but it comes in a year where he has scored 12 tries in 15 games for the Broncos. The centre has become the first player in history to be picked to play Origin while on a development deal, after being upgraded to one from his train-and-trial agreement. AAP understands the Bronco's current contract sits at just $85,000, but he will be upgraded to become a full-time member of Brisbane's NRL squad next year. "When I sat down with him on his first training session, I wasn't quite sure where he was going to get to," Broncos coach Michael Maguire said. "I can't tell you how hard he worked in the pre-season to give himself the opportunity." Haas insisted Shibasaki's talent had always been there, even if it had taken until seven years after his NRL debut for him to become a top-grade regular. "He's always been gifted, he was one of the best players growing up when we were kids," Haas said. "He lost his way a bit the last few years. But he's found his way back and I'm super proud of him. "He worked so hard, this was his last shot and he's taken it with both hands. "I just hate that he's a Queenslander."
The Advertiser
8 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'I replied with an F-bomb': Papalii to rock for Maroons
He's just become a father for the fourth time but there was no way veteran prop Josh Papalii was going to turn down an opportunity for one final State of Origin conflict with Queensland. The 33-year-old was in hospital with wife Mesepa and baby son Jeremiah when Maroons coach Billy Slater called to ask if he had a 24th and final Origin game in him. "I missed the first couple of calls because my little fella and my wife were still in hospital at the time and there were a few complications with my little one," Papalii said. "I spoke to Bill when I had that little break and he asked me one question, if I had one more game in me and I replied with an 'F Bomb' and said 'yes, I had one more left.' "Hopefully I can go out there next week and put on a good performance." Papalii last played for the Maroons in 2022 and had retired from representative football. He is playing his final season in Canberra this year and has been in career-best form. The Maroons are looking for extra punch in the middle for the Origin decider in Sydney and Papalii was the obvious choice for one last hurrah. "It's definitely my last. I'm obviously just looking forward to it and soaking in the week," he said. "I'm still buzzing just being back in maroon. I just need to work hard and turn up next week and hopefully perform. "I was happily retired. I was happy to just slug away down in Canberra. We're going pretty well down in the capital as well. "When I saw the first couple of missed calls (from Slater), I just didn't know what to expect. And obviously I spoke to Bill and it's very nice to be back." Papalii is an enforcer who has led the Maroons pack previously. His role is simple. "I think just turning up and doing my job. I feel like I don't have to come in and do anything special," he said. "You don't really get many special things out of front-rowers these days anyway, so I just need to come and do my job and hopefully that can contribute to a win next Wednesday." Papalii arrived in camp on Wednesday safe in the knowledge Jeremiah and his wife are in great shape. "They're good now. They are out (of hospital), hence why I come in a little bit later," he said. "I was never coming to camp unless my family were okay and now they're all good. We're locked in for next Wednesday." In camp on the Sunshine Coast with the team, Papalii was as refreshed on Thursday as he's been in recent times. "It's the best sleep I've had in a few weeks," he grinned. "Last night was good. I had one of the boys come and wake me up." He's just become a father for the fourth time but there was no way veteran prop Josh Papalii was going to turn down an opportunity for one final State of Origin conflict with Queensland. The 33-year-old was in hospital with wife Mesepa and baby son Jeremiah when Maroons coach Billy Slater called to ask if he had a 24th and final Origin game in him. "I missed the first couple of calls because my little fella and my wife were still in hospital at the time and there were a few complications with my little one," Papalii said. "I spoke to Bill when I had that little break and he asked me one question, if I had one more game in me and I replied with an 'F Bomb' and said 'yes, I had one more left.' "Hopefully I can go out there next week and put on a good performance." Papalii last played for the Maroons in 2022 and had retired from representative football. He is playing his final season in Canberra this year and has been in career-best form. The Maroons are looking for extra punch in the middle for the Origin decider in Sydney and Papalii was the obvious choice for one last hurrah. "It's definitely my last. I'm obviously just looking forward to it and soaking in the week," he said. "I'm still buzzing just being back in maroon. I just need to work hard and turn up next week and hopefully perform. "I was happily retired. I was happy to just slug away down in Canberra. We're going pretty well down in the capital as well. "When I saw the first couple of missed calls (from Slater), I just didn't know what to expect. And obviously I spoke to Bill and it's very nice to be back." Papalii is an enforcer who has led the Maroons pack previously. His role is simple. "I think just turning up and doing my job. I feel like I don't have to come in and do anything special," he said. "You don't really get many special things out of front-rowers these days anyway, so I just need to come and do my job and hopefully that can contribute to a win next Wednesday." Papalii arrived in camp on Wednesday safe in the knowledge Jeremiah and his wife are in great shape. "They're good now. They are out (of hospital), hence why I come in a little bit later," he said. "I was never coming to camp unless my family were okay and now they're all good. We're locked in for next Wednesday." In camp on the Sunshine Coast with the team, Papalii was as refreshed on Thursday as he's been in recent times. "It's the best sleep I've had in a few weeks," he grinned. "Last night was good. I had one of the boys come and wake me up." He's just become a father for the fourth time but there was no way veteran prop Josh Papalii was going to turn down an opportunity for one final State of Origin conflict with Queensland. The 33-year-old was in hospital with wife Mesepa and baby son Jeremiah when Maroons coach Billy Slater called to ask if he had a 24th and final Origin game in him. "I missed the first couple of calls because my little fella and my wife were still in hospital at the time and there were a few complications with my little one," Papalii said. "I spoke to Bill when I had that little break and he asked me one question, if I had one more game in me and I replied with an 'F Bomb' and said 'yes, I had one more left.' "Hopefully I can go out there next week and put on a good performance." Papalii last played for the Maroons in 2022 and had retired from representative football. He is playing his final season in Canberra this year and has been in career-best form. The Maroons are looking for extra punch in the middle for the Origin decider in Sydney and Papalii was the obvious choice for one last hurrah. "It's definitely my last. I'm obviously just looking forward to it and soaking in the week," he said. "I'm still buzzing just being back in maroon. I just need to work hard and turn up next week and hopefully perform. "I was happily retired. I was happy to just slug away down in Canberra. We're going pretty well down in the capital as well. "When I saw the first couple of missed calls (from Slater), I just didn't know what to expect. And obviously I spoke to Bill and it's very nice to be back." Papalii is an enforcer who has led the Maroons pack previously. His role is simple. "I think just turning up and doing my job. I feel like I don't have to come in and do anything special," he said. "You don't really get many special things out of front-rowers these days anyway, so I just need to come and do my job and hopefully that can contribute to a win next Wednesday." Papalii arrived in camp on Wednesday safe in the knowledge Jeremiah and his wife are in great shape. "They're good now. They are out (of hospital), hence why I come in a little bit later," he said. "I was never coming to camp unless my family were okay and now they're all good. We're locked in for next Wednesday." In camp on the Sunshine Coast with the team, Papalii was as refreshed on Thursday as he's been in recent times. "It's the best sleep I've had in a few weeks," he grinned. "Last night was good. I had one of the boys come and wake me up."
