Papalii ready to do his duty for Maroons in one final Origin battle
- FOGS
- Jul 8
- 2 min read
Josh Papalii is a proven big game performer for Queensland so the veteran prop is aiming to make his final match for the Maroons a swansong to remember.
It’s also why coach Billy Slater had confidence in picking up the phone and asking the 33-year-old if he would do his duty for Queensland in the State of Origin decider in Sydney.
Papalii will play his 24th match for the Maroons after figuring in six series wins since making his Origin debut in 2013.
The Maroons were looking for more punch and aggression up front and Papalii has been providing that in abundance in Canberra’s march towards a top two finish in the NRL.
He and wife Mesepa welcomed young son Jeremiah into the world days before the Maroons side was selected.
He got the call from Slater while he was in hospital but had no hesitation in taking up the challenge of playing his first Origin match since 2022.
"I missed the first couple of calls because my little fella and my wife were still in hospital and there were a few complications with my little one," Papalii said.
"Hopefully I can go out there next week and put on a good performance.
"It's definitely my last (Origin). I'm obviously just looking forward to it and soaking in the week.
"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.
Although Papalii had officially “retired” from the representative scene prior to the 2023 Origin series, Slater said he’d always had it in the back of his mind to give him a call about a potential return.
His career-best form for the Raiders, combined with his experience in the Origin cauldron, was just too compelling to ignore.
“The way Big Papa has been playing for Canberra and the performances he has been putting in, I thought this team could benefit from big Josh Papalii,” Slater said.
“I was a little unsure of the response I would get but when I spoke to Papa the response was pretty much where my head was at. That was just fantastic.
The Maroons gave Papalii a few extra days to be with his young son and wife before he arrived in camp mid-week to get stuck into his preparation.
Hooker Harry Grant described him as “the protector” of the team and a true warrior.
Captain Cameron Munster referred to Papalii as the side’s “bodyguard”.
There is no doubt that like all the great Maroons players with a presence and genuine aura, Papalii has lifted the side’s confidence.
Slater knew exactly what he would be getting from the powerhouse front-rower.
“He is a great man to start with … a very respectful man,” the coach said.
“I sent him a text the other week when he broke the all-time Raiders record (for most games played) and it was great to reconnect with him.”
The job of a prop is a simple one in many respects. Papalii won’t be changing anything. His methods have worked before and he knows what he can do.
"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."
