Even NSW back 'legendary' Papalii's Origin swansong
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."
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The Advertiser
31 minutes ago
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'People were worried': How Joe Schmidt saved Lions tour
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"They've put in a lot of good performances against us in the past, and we expect no different tomorrow." The Brumbies are the only Australian Super Rugby team to have beaten the Lions, overcoming a Sexton-less side 14-12 in 2013. Ireland legend Johnny Sexton has credited his former coach Joe Schmidt with turning around the Wallabies' fortunes - and saving a once-in-12-years Lions tour from irrelevance. The British and Irish Lions are set for the toughest test of their tour yet when they take on Australia's top Super side, the ACT Brumbies, in Canberra on Wednesday night. Having blown the Queensland Reds and Western Force out of the water before a tussle with the NSW Waratahs, the Brumbies - albeit undermanned - are expected to challenge the tourists. It's a stark change from 18 months ago, when the hapless Wallabies were at rock bottom after their earliest exit from a World Cup and the messy resignation of coach Eddie Jones. While the Wallabies are by no means favourites to win the three-Test series, New Zealand-born Schmidt has righted the ship and brought belief back to the side. They have suffered a huge blow with the loss of first-choice flyhalf Noah Lolesio following surgery but Schmidt has backed other playmakers Tom Lynagh and Ben Donaldson. Although they remain a lowly eighth in the world rankings, the Wallabies showed promise in last year's tour of the British Isles, beating England and Wales and falling narrowly to Ireland. Sexton was not surprised Schmidt managed to draw the best out of the Wallabies after guiding his Irish side to the top of the rankings in a stellar stint from 2013 to 2019. "He's a smart guy. Obviously, I've got a great relationship with him. But he's doing a great job with Australia, I think," said Lions assistant coach Sexton. "You know, 18 months ago, people were worried about this tour, and now it's all to play for. It's fantastic for the series." Lions head coach Andy Farrell also knows Schmidt's coaching style inside out, having served as his assistant in the Ireland set-up from 2016 to 2019. "They got on great off the pitch, you know, they were bouncing off each other; good cop, bad cop," Sexton said. "They dovetailed well. Joe was always the bad cop. Andy was sometimes good, sometimes bad, but they were brilliant together. "They knew how to push the buttons of that team, in particular. You could tell that they were in it together. "And I'd say Andy learned a lot from Joe, but then at the same time, he's come in and he's changed a lot, evolved things. "And that's always what you want, isn't it? Because if you went and tried to imitate Joe, people would see through." With Wallabies great Stephen Larkham at the helm, a torrid Brumbies test awaits before the coaching trio's reunion. Near-freezing temperatures and dewy conditions are expected on Wednesday night, with the Brumbies likely to use their strong line speed to make it hard for the Lions on the ball, Sexton said. "They're a very good team, probably the best Australian franchise," he said. "They've put in a lot of good performances against us in the past, and we expect no different tomorrow." The Brumbies are the only Australian Super Rugby team to have beaten the Lions, overcoming a Sexton-less side 14-12 in 2013. Ireland legend Johnny Sexton has credited his former coach Joe Schmidt with turning around the Wallabies' fortunes - and saving a once-in-12-years Lions tour from irrelevance. The British and Irish Lions are set for the toughest test of their tour yet when they take on Australia's top Super side, the ACT Brumbies, in Canberra on Wednesday night. Having blown the Queensland Reds and Western Force out of the water before a tussle with the NSW Waratahs, the Brumbies - albeit undermanned - are expected to challenge the tourists. It's a stark change from 18 months ago, when the hapless Wallabies were at rock bottom after their earliest exit from a World Cup and the messy resignation of coach Eddie Jones. While the Wallabies are by no means favourites to win the three-Test series, New Zealand-born Schmidt has righted the ship and brought belief back to the side. They have suffered a huge blow with the loss of first-choice flyhalf Noah Lolesio following surgery but Schmidt has backed other playmakers Tom Lynagh and Ben Donaldson. Although they remain a lowly eighth in the world rankings, the Wallabies showed promise in last year's tour of the British Isles, beating England and Wales and falling narrowly to Ireland. Sexton was not surprised Schmidt managed to draw the best out of the Wallabies after guiding his Irish side to the top of the rankings in a stellar stint from 2013 to 2019. "He's a smart guy. Obviously, I've got a great relationship with him. But he's doing a great job with Australia, I think," said Lions assistant coach Sexton. "You know, 18 months ago, people were worried about this tour, and now it's all to play for. It's fantastic for the series." Lions head coach Andy Farrell also knows Schmidt's coaching style inside out, having served as his assistant in the Ireland set-up from 2016 to 2019. "They got on great off the pitch, you know, they were bouncing off each other; good cop, bad cop," Sexton said. "They dovetailed well. Joe was always the bad cop. Andy was sometimes good, sometimes bad, but they were brilliant together. "They knew how to push the buttons of that team, in particular. You could tell that they were in it together. "And I'd say Andy learned a lot from Joe, but then at the same time, he's come in and he's changed a lot, evolved things. "And that's always what you want, isn't it? Because if you went and tried to imitate Joe, people would see through." With Wallabies great Stephen Larkham at the helm, a torrid Brumbies test awaits before the coaching trio's reunion. Near-freezing temperatures and dewy conditions are expected on Wednesday night, with the Brumbies likely to use their strong line speed to make it hard for the Lions on the ball, Sexton said. "They're a very good team, probably the best Australian franchise," he said. "They've put in a lot of good performances against us in the past, and we expect no different tomorrow." The Brumbies are the only Australian Super Rugby team to have beaten the Lions, overcoming a Sexton-less side 14-12 in 2013.
News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
Rabbitohs, former Origin star Jack Wighton scores $650k off side hustle
South Sydney Rabbitohs star Jack Wighton has sold his longtime Brisbane investment apartment for $650,000. It is understood that Wighton is redirecting his equity into another new-build investment opportunity. Wighton bought the Newstead apartment off the plan in 2016, paying $445,000 when he was four years into his 11-year stint at the Canberra Raiders. McGrath Bulimba agent Sam Battel sold the apartment to an investor within three weeks of its listing last month. The one-bedroom Ajax apartment was pitched at both owner-occupiers and investors, but marketed as a 'high-demand rental opportunity'. The $620 a week rental in place until August next year, so reflecting a 4.96 per cent yield for the 54 sqm unit that has an open plan living kitchen and dining space, a study area, and a balcony. PropTrack puts the one bedroom median at $585,000, up 15 per cent over the past year after 105 sales that spent a median 35 days on market. PropTrack calculates the median yield as 5.1 per cent. Wighton had bought it direct from developer two years before completion. It is set in the $195m complex of four buildings, developed by JGL Properties just a few blocks back from the Brisbane River. The Bureau Proberts-designed complex has communal facilities including two barbecue zones, an outdoor cinema, a 25-metre lap pool, spa, gym, and sauna. Wighton retains the home he bought with wife, Monisha Lew-Fatt for $1,135,000 in 2020. The 3.36ha regional NSW estate, just off the Old Federal Highway at Bywong, has a 1970s home with six bedrooms. Having grown up in Orange, Wighton, 32, made his debut for the Raiders in 2012. He left after 242 games, and has played 32 games since joining the Rabbitohs. He has made 11 Origin appearances for the NSW Blues before announcing in 2024 that he would be in representative retirement.
