Latest news with #JoshPapalii
Daily Mail
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Footy star Josh Papalii misses birth of his son as Raiders march to top of NRL ladder - 'unbelievable sacrifice'
Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has hailed the 'unbelievable sacrifice' of Josh Papalii's wife, after she gave her blessing for the veteran prop to miss the birth of their son so he could play against the Knights on Friday night. Sepa Salesa welcomed the couple's fourth child - Jeremiah Papalii - into the world just hours before kick-off, and it didn't go unnoticed by a thankful Stuart. 'The reason I have Paps here today, an unbelievable sacrifice from Sepa - Josh's wife - who had a baby boy this afternoon, Jeremiah,' Stuart told reporters at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle at the post-game press conference. 'It was always going to be touch and go whether Sepa could hang on or what not, but she wanted Josh to go away and play. 'It was an unbelievable sacrifice from a new mother.' Papalii - who chalked up 106 running metres and made 31 tackles as the Raiders won 22-18 to become the new NRL ladder leaders - said he was 'pretty excited' and was 'looking forward to checking on the wife and holding my new son.' Papalii - who chalked up 106 running metres and made 31 tackles as the Raiders won 22-18 in Newcastle - said he was 'looking forward to checking on the wife and holding my new son' 'I told 'Sticky' at the start of the week that she was sort of due around Friday,' he added. 'I also told the boys that my missus said make sure we come home with the two points and she'll deliver the baby. 'I'm glad both happened.' It comes as Papalii prepares to leave the club at the end of the season, with St Helens his destination next year in the English Super League. 'Papa came and spoke to (CEO) Don Furner and I some time ago and told us that he has some interest in England and also other NRL he simply said, 'I can't play against the Raiders,' Stuart told News Corp. 'From our club's point of view, we couldn't be prouder of Josh. 'He's been an extremely loyal player and when the discussion turns to legends of the Raiders, one of the first names spoken will be Papa's.' Papalii, 33, made his NRL debut with Canberra in 2011 and is now the club's most capped player. The prop's form has been so impressive this season that he could earn a recall for Queensland ahead of the Origin series decider on July 9 in Sydney.
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Unbelievable sacrifice': Ricky goes public with news about Josh Papalii and wife
Ricky Stuart produced a brilliant gesture for Josh Papalii after Canberra's win over Newcastle on Saturday night, bringing him into the post-match press conference to announced the birth of his fourth child. Papalii had another barnstorming game, running for 106 metres and making 31 tackles as the Raiders won 22-18. The 33-year-old made a surprise appearance alongside Stuart and Canberra captain Joseph Tapine in the post-match press conference, and Stuart started by revealing why. The coach described it as an "unbelievable sacrifice" from Papalii's wife Sepa to give him her blessing to travel to Newcastle and miss the birth, which happened just hours before the game. 'The reason I bought Paps along today, an unbelievable sacrifice from Sepa Papalii - Josh's wife - who had a baby boy this afternoon, Jeremiah,' Stuart said. 'It was always going to be touch and go whether Sepa could hang on or what not, but she wanted Josh to go away and play. It was an unbelievable sacrifice from a new mother so I thought I'd bring Josh along.' Papalii said: 'Pretty excited. Can't wait to go back and check on the wife and hold my new son. "I told 'Sticky' at the start of the week that she was sort of due around tonight. I told the room that my missus told me to make sure we come home with the two points and she'll deliver the baby. I'm glad we did both.' Stuart added: 'I'm glad she held her end of the bargain up.' Stuart and Papalii have a special bond, as shown when the coach burst into tears when Papalii scored in his 319th first-grade game earlier this month - breaking the record for most ever by a Canberra player. The veteran forward's love of the Raiders is so strong that he refuses to play for any other NRL club, and will instead move to England next year to finish his career with St Helens. 'Papa came and spoke to (CEO) Don Furner and I some time ago and told us that he has some interest in England and also other NRL clubs and he simply said, 'I can't play against the Raiders and I'll look to secure a contract in England at some stage'," Stuart told The Daily Telegraph. 'From our club's point of view, we couldn't be prouder of Josh. 'He's been an extremely loyal player and when the discussion turns to legends of the Raiders, one of the first name's spoken will be Papa's. How this unfolds for Papa I'm not sure, but what I do know is that he'll give everything he has until the very last step he takes on the field for the Raiders." Papalii's form has been so good that some have suggested Billy Slater should bring him out of rep retirement to play in the State of Origin decider for Queensland. Papalii has played 25 games for the Maroons, but retired from rep footy back in 2023. Whispers have re-emerged ahead of Game 3 that Slater might try and convince Papalii to backflip, and Matty Johns is all for it. "Little bit of talk going around about Josh Papalii," Johns said on SEN radio on Friday. "Maybe Billy selecting him for Game 3 out of the blue. "I think it would be a fantastic move for Queensland. To come down to Sydney for a decider and to bring someone with the presence of 'Big Papa' and his leadership, I think it would be a masterstroke." RELATED: The one club banned from signing Selwyn Cobbo early revealed Panthers star in doubt for State of Origin 3 in concern for NSW Ben Hunt said on 4BC radio last week: 'I would love to see big Paps out there. There was never a time when he pulled on the jumper that he let Queensland down and he is playing great footy at the moment. He is the ultimate warrior. He would bring some real aggression up front if we brought him back in.'
Courier-Mail
3 days ago
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
Josh Papalii State of Origin recall rumours
Don't miss out on the headlines from Maroons. Followed categories will be added to My News. Billy Slater has been urged to issue a State of Origin 'SOS' to retired Maroons warhorse Josh Papalii to deliver Queensland a stunning series victory. Papalii has rocketed into the frame for a Queensland recall in the July 9 decider against the NSW Blues in Sydney. Papalii, 33, played 23 games for Queensland from 2013-22 and was regarded as one of the Maroons' most feared front rowers. He is also a former Kangaroos (11 Tests) and Samoa (10 Tests) representative. PICK YOUR NSW, QUEENSLAND ORIGIN III TEAMS HERE 'Big Papa' announced his representative retirement in the lead-up to the 2023 Origin series when he faced being overlooked for selection. However he has wound back the clock this season with a string of strong performances for the resurgent Canberra Raiders, who are sitting second on the NRL ladder. Josh Papalii has rocketed into the frame for a State of Origin recall. Picture: Peter Wallis • INELIGIBLE FOUR: CONTROVERSIAL RULE WIPES ROOKIES OUT OF DALLY M RACE • WATCH: FRINGE BLUE'S EFFORT MOMENT DALEY SIMPLY CAN'T IGNORE • NRLW TOP-50 RANKINGS: QUEEN OF QLD OVERTHROWN IN 2025 SHAKE-UP • BRONCOS BLOCK COWBOYS' POACHING BID TO SIGN SELWYN COBBO There is a view the fearsome Papalii, with his flowing mullet and scarred face, could inject a hard edge and Origin experience into Queensland's forward pack for the decider. Maroons middles Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Moeaki Fotuaika, Lindsay Collins, Trent Loiero and Pat Carrigan haven't exactly dominated their NSW rivals in the series, which is 1-all going into the decider. Former Queensland utility Ben Hunt said Papalii still had what it took to thrive in the Origin arena. 'I hope to god it is true,' Hunt told 4BC in response to speculation about Papalii's return. Josh Papalii played 23 games for Queensland from 2013-22. Picture:'I would love to see big 'Paps' out there. There was never a time when he pulled on the jumper that he let Queensland down and he is playing great footy at the moment. 'He is the ultimate warrior. He would bring some real aggression up front if we brought him back in.' The Blues have a punchy pack led by Game One man-of-the-match Payne Haas and bench weapon Spencer Leniu. Their backrowers Hudson Young, Liam Martin and Angus Crichton are all explosive players with tempers and there is a view Queensland is lacking midfield mongrel. Fotuaika rebounded from a poor Origin I with a solid performance in Perth last week as Queensland levelled the series with a 26-24 win, but is no selection certainty. Fa'asuamaleaui is carrying a sternum injury which has seen his form plummet in the past few weeks. Josh Papalii was last in the Queensland side in 2022. Picture:Carrigan will be picked and there is no suggestion Papalii will definitely be recalled, but he could be the type of player Queensland needs to beat the Blues at Accor Stadium. Former Maroons lock Corey Parker said Papalii's form was up to Origin standard. 'Absolutely, I pencilled him in my team for Origin II but then I thought, well, he's retired, so they won't pick him,' he said. 'Absolutely he can do a job. He's probably playing as good a footy now as he ever has. He just seems comfortable. 'It would be a question Queensland could ask him if he wants to come out of retirement. 'He'd be fine playing Origin. He plays week in, week out at NRL level and I understand Origin is quicker, but he's only looking to do 25 minutes at most. 'He'd bring a bit of intimidation. There's no bulls*** with Papa and he would get stuck into the Blues. I've played against him and it's never fun playing against Papa. 'I think Papa or Corey Horsburgh deserve to be considered for Game Three.' Slater and his selectors will convene on Sunday night after the completion of round 17 NRL fixtures to pick an Origin III team, which will be announced on Monday. Papalii's Raiders teammate Horsburgh was part of Queensland's Game Two squad.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Billy Slater urged to recall Josh Papalii for Maroons in State of Origin decider
Billy Slater has been urged to issue a State of Origin 'SOS' to retired Maroons warhorse Josh Papalii to deliver Queensland a stunning series victory. Papalii has rocketed into the frame for a Queensland recall in the July 9 decider against the NSW Blues in Sydney. Papalii, 33, played 23 games for Queensland from 2013-22 and was regarded as one of the Maroons' most feared front rowers. He is also a former Kangaroos (11 Tests) and Samoa (10 Tests) representative. 'Big Papa' announced his representative retirement in the lead-up to the 2023 Origin series when he faced being overlooked for selection. However he has wound back the clock this season with a string of strong performances for the resurgent Canberra Raiders, who are sitting second on the NRL ladder. • BRONCOS BLOCK COWBOYS' POACHING BID TO SIGN SELWYN COBBO There is a view the fearsome Papalii, with his flowing mullet and scarred face, could inject a hard edge and Origin experience into Queensland's forward pack for the decider. Maroons middles Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Moeaki Fotuaika, Lindsay Collins, Trent Loiero and Pat Carrigan haven't exactly dominated their NSW rivals in the series, which is 1-all going into the decider. Former Queensland utility Ben Hunt said Papalii still had what it took to thrive in the Origin arena. 'I hope to god it is true,' Hunt told 4BC in response to speculation about Papalii's return. 'I would love to see big 'Paps' out there. There was never a time when he pulled on the jumper that he let Queensland down and he is playing great footy at the moment. 'He is the ultimate warrior. He would bring some real aggression up front if we brought him back in.' The Blues have a punchy pack led by Game One man-of-the-match Payne Haas and bench weapon Spencer Leniu. Their backrowers Hudson Young, Liam Martin and Angus Crichton are all explosive players with tempers and there is a view Queensland is lacking midfield mongrel. Fotuaika rebounded from a poor Origin I with a solid performance in Perth last week as Queensland levelled the series with a 26-24 win, but is no selection certainty. Fa'asuamaleaui is carrying a sternum injury which has seen his form plummet in the past few weeks. Carrigan will be picked and there is no suggestion Papalii will definitely be recalled, but he could be the type of player Queensland needs to beat the Blues at Accor Stadium. Former Maroons lock Corey Parker said Papalii's form was up to Origin standard. 'Absolutely, I pencilled him in my team for Origin II but then I thought, well, he's retired, so they won't pick him,' he said. 'Absolutely he can do a job. He's probably playing as good a footy now as he ever has. He just seems comfortable. 'It would be a question Queensland could ask him if he wants to come out of retirement. 'He'd be fine playing Origin. He plays week in, week out at NRL level and I understand Origin is quicker, but he's only looking to do 25 minutes at most. 'He'd bring a bit of intimidation. There's no bulls*** with Papa and he would get stuck into the Blues. I've played against him and it's never fun playing against Papa. 'I think Papa or Corey Horsburgh deserve to be considered for Game Three.' Slater and his selectors will convene on Sunday night after the completion of round 17 NRL fixtures to pick an Origin III team, which will be announced on Monday. Papalii's Raiders teammate Horsburgh was part of Queensland's Game Two squad.
Daily Mail
18-06-2025
- Daily Mail
NRL star's wife learns her fate after punching a teenage girl and a woman in wild footy brawl
The wife of NRL star Josh Papalii has been convicted of assault and handed a good behaviour order for 15 months following her involvement in a wild brawl at a suburban women's rugby league game last year. Mesepa Selesa was charged with two counts of common assault following the incident in July of 2024 at a footy match featuring the West Belconnen Warriors and the Bungendore Kangaroos. In CCTV footage previously shown in the ACT Magistrates Court, Selesa can be seen taking to the field and becoming involved in an altercation with a player, 17, who she pushed, punched and forcefully dragged by the hair in front of numerous shocked onlookers. The pair were separated by other spectators before another woman lunged at Selesa, who responded by grabbing her, pulling a jersey over her head, striking her and pulling her towards the ground. The women were then separated by footy fans at the ground. Selesa - soon to be a mother of four - was banned from attending grassroots footy for a decade from the Canberra Region Rugby League last year following the incident - with her court date to follow. Anthony Williamson, Selesa's defence barrister, asked the court recently to dismiss the charges due to his client's mental impairment at the time, which he said was caused by the recent autism diagnosis of her son. In court on Wednesday, Magistrate Alexandra Burt said she accepted Selesa was suffering from a degree of mental impairment at the time of the incident - but wouldn't dismiss the charges. 'In my view, it is at about the mid-point,' Magistrate Burt said. The court was also read impact statements from the older victim as well as her mother. The victim described the 'serious and ongoing impact' of the incident, including an inability to carry out routine daily activities for weeks afterwards. She also stated she had been a passionate rugby league player - but that has changed following the attack. The victim's mother wrote about the after-effects for her grandson, who witnessed the violent assault. 'My five-year-old grandson was heartbroken,' the statement read. 'My grandson didn't understand why his mum was beaten up.' During sentencing, Magistrate Burt acknowledged Selesa had entered early guilty pleas, but still opted to impose a lengthy good behaviour order, the ABC reported. 'I accept she has taken responsibility, and I should give her the benefit of an early plea,' she said. 'I accept she is genuinely and deeply remorseful.' Magistrate Burt made it clear to the court that she would not treat Selesa 'any differently because of the apparent profile of her husband.' The court also heard Canberra Raiders NRL coach Ricky Stuart provided Selesa a character reference, attesting to 'unwavering support' of her husband and children. After ruling a prison term of imprisonment was excessive, Magistrate Burt imposed a good behaviour order of 15 months - with six months of supervision by Corrective Services. The term of supervision was deferred until November this year due to Selesa being 38 weeks pregnant with her fourth child.
