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
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Papalii the bridge to Maroons last super Sydney decider
Josh Papalii's recall has given Queensland firepower up front but also an intimate understanding of what it takes to win a State of Origin decider in Sydney. The 33-year-old prop is the only member of the current playing squad to have achieved the rare feat. When playing in just his second Origin match back in 2013, Papalii was among the side that beat NSW 12-10 at Homebush. That was the last time the Maroons have prevailed in a Sydney decider and was the fourth time they had won the Origin shield in the NSW capital. They also won deciders on enemy territory in 1998 and 2008, while an 18-all draw in 2002 was enough to retain bragging rights. Papalii's very presence has been a comfort to the Maroons ahead of his 24th and final Origin showdown. "Papa is a real calming influence on the group," Maroons hooker Harry Grant said. "He's got so much experience and willpower to have a real dig in the Maroons jersey. "I'm really excited for him to have this final opportunity. He's been playing some awesome footy for Canberra." The Maroons, who clung on to win game two 26-24 in Perth, must pull off a 45-year Origin first in Sydney. They have never won two games away from Brisbane to clinch the series after losing the first match. It's an opportunity coach Billy Slater said his side would embrace, rather than be daunted by that history. "We'd never won in Perth either before game two," Slater said. "No Queensland team has lost at home and had to go on the road for game two and three and won the series. What an opportunity it is for this group of men. "That's a real challenge. We're not naive to (not) know where we're going and how good the footy team is that we're playing against, and the individuals in the footy team. It's a task for sure, but what an opportunity it is." Grant said on Monday that Cameron Munster's brave decision to play after the death of his father Steven had motivated the players to give a strong performance to make their skipper's family proud. Grant grew up in Rockhampton, as did Munster. The Maroons skipper was man of the match in the win in game two in Perth. Munster's story, from loveable larrikin to Maroons captain, continues to inspire and Grant himself has been moved by it. "I've been lucky enough to grow up in the same region as him and watch his journey to the Storm and now captain of the Maroons," Grant said. "It's been a very inspiring journey and he gives a lot of people hope that you can do it. "You don't always have to be the best kid growing up. You can have a bit of cheek and do things your way too. "He's captain of the Maroons and we love him as a teammate and bloke. You saw what he did in game two." Josh Papalii's recall has given Queensland firepower up front but also an intimate understanding of what it takes to win a State of Origin decider in Sydney. The 33-year-old prop is the only member of the current playing squad to have achieved the rare feat. When playing in just his second Origin match back in 2013, Papalii was among the side that beat NSW 12-10 at Homebush. That was the last time the Maroons have prevailed in a Sydney decider and was the fourth time they had won the Origin shield in the NSW capital. They also won deciders on enemy territory in 1998 and 2008, while an 18-all draw in 2002 was enough to retain bragging rights. Papalii's very presence has been a comfort to the Maroons ahead of his 24th and final Origin showdown. "Papa is a real calming influence on the group," Maroons hooker Harry Grant said. "He's got so much experience and willpower to have a real dig in the Maroons jersey. "I'm really excited for him to have this final opportunity. He's been playing some awesome footy for Canberra." The Maroons, who clung on to win game two 26-24 in Perth, must pull off a 45-year Origin first in Sydney. They have never won two games away from Brisbane to clinch the series after losing the first match. It's an opportunity coach Billy Slater said his side would embrace, rather than be daunted by that history. "We'd never won in Perth either before game two," Slater said. "No Queensland team has lost at home and had to go on the road for game two and three and won the series. What an opportunity it is for this group of men. "That's a real challenge. We're not naive to (not) know where we're going and how good the footy team is that we're playing against, and the individuals in the footy team. It's a task for sure, but what an opportunity it is." Grant said on Monday that Cameron Munster's brave decision to play after the death of his father Steven had motivated the players to give a strong performance to make their skipper's family proud. Grant grew up in Rockhampton, as did Munster. The Maroons skipper was man of the match in the win in game two in Perth. Munster's story, from loveable larrikin to Maroons captain, continues to inspire and Grant himself has been moved by it. "I've been lucky enough to grow up in the same region as him and watch his journey to the Storm and now captain of the Maroons," Grant said. "It's been a very inspiring journey and he gives a lot of people hope that you can do it. "You don't always have to be the best kid growing up. You can have a bit of cheek and do things your way too. "He's captain of the Maroons and we love him as a teammate and bloke. You saw what he did in game two." Josh Papalii's recall has given Queensland firepower up front but also an intimate understanding of what it takes to win a State of Origin decider in Sydney. The 33-year-old prop is the only member of the current playing squad to have achieved the rare feat. When playing in just his second Origin match back in 2013, Papalii was among the side that beat NSW 12-10 at Homebush. That was the last time the Maroons have prevailed in a Sydney decider and was the fourth time they had won the Origin shield in the NSW capital. They also won deciders on enemy territory in 1998 and 2008, while an 18-all draw in 2002 was enough to retain bragging rights. Papalii's very presence has been a comfort to the Maroons ahead of his 24th and final Origin showdown. "Papa is a real calming influence on the group," Maroons hooker Harry Grant said. "He's got so much experience and willpower to have a real dig in the Maroons jersey. "I'm really excited for him to have this final opportunity. He's been playing some awesome footy for Canberra." The Maroons, who clung on to win game two 26-24 in Perth, must pull off a 45-year Origin first in Sydney. They have never won two games away from Brisbane to clinch the series after losing the first match. It's an opportunity coach Billy Slater said his side would embrace, rather than be daunted by that history. "We'd never won in Perth either before game two," Slater said. "No Queensland team has lost at home and had to go on the road for game two and three and won the series. What an opportunity it is for this group of men. "That's a real challenge. We're not naive to (not) know where we're going and how good the footy team is that we're playing against, and the individuals in the footy team. It's a task for sure, but what an opportunity it is." Grant said on Monday that Cameron Munster's brave decision to play after the death of his father Steven had motivated the players to give a strong performance to make their skipper's family proud. Grant grew up in Rockhampton, as did Munster. The Maroons skipper was man of the match in the win in game two in Perth. Munster's story, from loveable larrikin to Maroons captain, continues to inspire and Grant himself has been moved by it. "I've been lucky enough to grow up in the same region as him and watch his journey to the Storm and now captain of the Maroons," Grant said. "It's been a very inspiring journey and he gives a lot of people hope that you can do it. "You don't always have to be the best kid growing up. You can have a bit of cheek and do things your way too. "He's captain of the Maroons and we love him as a teammate and bloke. You saw what he did in game two."
ABC News
2 hours ago
- ABC News
Maroons captain Cameron Munster to honour late father Steven in State of Origin decider
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Perth Now
4 hours ago
- Perth Now
Perth kid's unbelievable collection of celebrity encounters
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