The Bodyguard: Papalii hailed as Maroons' new protector
That's the word from Maroons captain Cameron Munster who is a fan of the film and Costner's part as the bodyguard who protected Whitney Houston, playing the role of a famous actress and singer, from a deranged stalker.
The Blues will be stalking Queensland in the State of Origin decider in Sydney and Canberra giant Papalii is the antidote in his first game for the Maroons since 2022.
"It's great to have him back. He brings a lot of that belief and steely eye when you have him beside you," Munster said.
"It brings a bit of fear in people's faces. You don't want to be running around annoying Big Papa.
"He's a bit of a Kevin Costner. I don't know if you've seen that movie, Kevin Costner's The Bodyguard ... with Whitney Houston?
"He's probably our bodyguard and he's one of those enforcers. Taking him down to foreign territory, it's going to be good for us."
Former Maroons captain Trevor Gillmeister, known as 'The Axe' and a bodyguard of sorts in his own right as a player, said Papalii was in career-best form and would sort the Blues out. When asked what his advice would be for Papalii in his Maroons swansong, Gillmeister got a gleam in his eyes.
"Just blow your gasket in the first 20 or 30 minutes and go hard," Gillmeister said.
"When the shit hits the fan he will be there in the middle of it.
"We have got Alpha males here in Tino (Fa'asuamaleaui) and Lindsay (Collins) and other blokes as well but Papa is the older, settling influence.
"Nothing seems to rattle him and he plays like that. How good is he playing for the Raiders at the moment? Outstanding."
Papalii was set to arrive in camp on Wednesday after he and his partner Mesepa had a baby boy last week.
Maroons hooker Harry Grant, who played alongside Papalii when he made his Origin debut in 2020, said his arrival was much anticipated.
"Everyone is really looking forward to big Paps getting back in camp and the presence and aura that he brings to the team," Grant said."He's a scary man to play against and one of the hardest blokes I've had to tackle because he is so wide and has got so many options to his game."He's a protector and warrior of the team and has been for so many years. You know how much Queensland means to him. Every series he has been messaging and saying 'good luck and go well' to the boys and now he is back.
"It's pretty cool that he never lost that attachment to the group and how much the Origin series means even though he wasn't in the team for a couple of years."
Recalled prop Josh Papalii will protect Queensland from harm and return fire to NSW like Kevin Costner did in the hit film The Bodyguard.
That's the word from Maroons captain Cameron Munster who is a fan of the film and Costner's part as the bodyguard who protected Whitney Houston, playing the role of a famous actress and singer, from a deranged stalker.
The Blues will be stalking Queensland in the State of Origin decider in Sydney and Canberra giant Papalii is the antidote in his first game for the Maroons since 2022.
"It's great to have him back. He brings a lot of that belief and steely eye when you have him beside you," Munster said.
"It brings a bit of fear in people's faces. You don't want to be running around annoying Big Papa.
"He's a bit of a Kevin Costner. I don't know if you've seen that movie, Kevin Costner's The Bodyguard ... with Whitney Houston?
"He's probably our bodyguard and he's one of those enforcers. Taking him down to foreign territory, it's going to be good for us."
Former Maroons captain Trevor Gillmeister, known as 'The Axe' and a bodyguard of sorts in his own right as a player, said Papalii was in career-best form and would sort the Blues out. When asked what his advice would be for Papalii in his Maroons swansong, Gillmeister got a gleam in his eyes.
"Just blow your gasket in the first 20 or 30 minutes and go hard," Gillmeister said.
"When the shit hits the fan he will be there in the middle of it.
"We have got Alpha males here in Tino (Fa'asuamaleaui) and Lindsay (Collins) and other blokes as well but Papa is the older, settling influence.
"Nothing seems to rattle him and he plays like that. How good is he playing for the Raiders at the moment? Outstanding."
Papalii was set to arrive in camp on Wednesday after he and his partner Mesepa had a baby boy last week.
Maroons hooker Harry Grant, who played alongside Papalii when he made his Origin debut in 2020, said his arrival was much anticipated.
"Everyone is really looking forward to big Paps getting back in camp and the presence and aura that he brings to the team," Grant said."He's a scary man to play against and one of the hardest blokes I've had to tackle because he is so wide and has got so many options to his game."He's a protector and warrior of the team and has been for so many years. You know how much Queensland means to him. Every series he has been messaging and saying 'good luck and go well' to the boys and now he is back.
"It's pretty cool that he never lost that attachment to the group and how much the Origin series means even though he wasn't in the team for a couple of years."
Recalled prop Josh Papalii will protect Queensland from harm and return fire to NSW like Kevin Costner did in the hit film The Bodyguard.
That's the word from Maroons captain Cameron Munster who is a fan of the film and Costner's part as the bodyguard who protected Whitney Houston, playing the role of a famous actress and singer, from a deranged stalker.
The Blues will be stalking Queensland in the State of Origin decider in Sydney and Canberra giant Papalii is the antidote in his first game for the Maroons since 2022.
"It's great to have him back. He brings a lot of that belief and steely eye when you have him beside you," Munster said.
"It brings a bit of fear in people's faces. You don't want to be running around annoying Big Papa.
"He's a bit of a Kevin Costner. I don't know if you've seen that movie, Kevin Costner's The Bodyguard ... with Whitney Houston?
"He's probably our bodyguard and he's one of those enforcers. Taking him down to foreign territory, it's going to be good for us."
Former Maroons captain Trevor Gillmeister, known as 'The Axe' and a bodyguard of sorts in his own right as a player, said Papalii was in career-best form and would sort the Blues out. When asked what his advice would be for Papalii in his Maroons swansong, Gillmeister got a gleam in his eyes.
"Just blow your gasket in the first 20 or 30 minutes and go hard," Gillmeister said.
"When the shit hits the fan he will be there in the middle of it.
"We have got Alpha males here in Tino (Fa'asuamaleaui) and Lindsay (Collins) and other blokes as well but Papa is the older, settling influence.
"Nothing seems to rattle him and he plays like that. How good is he playing for the Raiders at the moment? Outstanding."
Papalii was set to arrive in camp on Wednesday after he and his partner Mesepa had a baby boy last week.
Maroons hooker Harry Grant, who played alongside Papalii when he made his Origin debut in 2020, said his arrival was much anticipated.
"Everyone is really looking forward to big Paps getting back in camp and the presence and aura that he brings to the team," Grant said."He's a scary man to play against and one of the hardest blokes I've had to tackle because he is so wide and has got so many options to his game."He's a protector and warrior of the team and has been for so many years. You know how much Queensland means to him. Every series he has been messaging and saying 'good luck and go well' to the boys and now he is back.
"It's pretty cool that he never lost that attachment to the group and how much the Origin series means even though he wasn't in the team for a couple of years."
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The Panthers determined it would be impractical to rush their Origin stars onto a six-hour flight immediately after their recovery session, particularly given they would have to return to Sydney and back up against Canterbury five days later. The Panthers won both games against the Warriors and Bulldogs, but were privately frustrated by the messy scheduling, which will be avoided in an Origin context until at least 2028 when Perth next hosts. But managing tight turnarounds from long flights will soon become a much more regular issue for the NRL as teams from Perth and Port Moresby enter the competition in 2027 and 2028 respectively. It's left Cleary to call for the NRL to pay particular attention to situations like the one the Panthers faced this Origin period. "That's probably going to be something that needs to be looked into, just the scheduling," Cleary said. 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3 hours ago
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Haas ready to face different Shibasaki in Origin arena
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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
3 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."
