Papalii back in good books
TWO weeks after missing a Kangaroos Test because of a drink-driving offence, Josh Papalii has been named to make his first start for Queensland in Origin I.
Papalii was one of five changes made to the team that lost the dead rubber to NSW last season, having missed the third game through injury.
But Maroons coach Kevin Walters was so impressed with Papalii’s form that he inserted him into the second-row in place of Sam Thaiday.
Papalii, 25, has played six Origin games off the bench.
“There was a massive boost seeing myself in the No.11. I still need to go to camp and see where I’m playing,” Papalii said.
The Canberra star made headlines for the wrong reasons a fortnight ago, when he admitted to twice selfreporting himself to police for drink-driving in January.
He was hit with a $1000 fine and an eight-month driving ban but was also pulled from Australia’s Test against New Zealand in Canberra.
Papalii was later suspended by his club for one match.