DCE backs big Paps to fire up in decider
MAROONS skipper Daly Cherry-evans has backed under fire prop Josh Papalii to respond to critics of his form by leading Queensland’s pack to victory in the State of Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium.
Papalii has played just 47 minutes across the opening two games and by his own admission far from his barnstorming best when on the field. But Cherry-evans has called on the “leader” of the Maroons’ pack to muster all of his 10 years’ worth of State of Origin experience when his time comes on Wednesday night.
“From the outside looking in, on where he’s been, we’re excited where Paps’ mentality is this week,” said CherryEvans, whose Maroons debut came alongside Papalii in 2013.
“You talk about opportunities, well when people start to talk about you the only way you can respond is your football. I can’t wait to run out there with Paps. I know he’s going to be right up for it.
“Paps is the leader of our pack. He doesn’t have to say a whole lot but his actions speak louder than most people I’ve played with.
“There’s been a little bit of external noise about where his game is at and what people think is a good game for Josh Papalii. That challenge has been laid to him and I’ve got no doubt he’s responded, so that’s why I’m excited about Wednesday night.”
The 30-year-old veteran will have to reprise his brilliant best if Queensland is to clinch an unlikely series victory, following the dismal second-half showing in Perth and loss of superstar Cameron Munster to Covid-19 for game three.
The Maroons always stand taller at Suncorp Stadium but Cherry-evans said it was up to the playing group to give the fans something to cheer about and not rely on the home crowd advantage to get them over the line.
“We’ve spoken about how exciting it is and the great opportunity we have to play in front of a Suncorp crowd for a decider. As a Queenslander that’s so exciting,” he said.
“We want to give them something to cheer about, we don’t want to have to wait for them to cheer us on.
“We want to play the style of footy that’s going to bring the crowd into the game because (that means) we’re playing good football.”
Meantime, Blues enforcer Junior Paulo has vowed to put aside one of his closest friendships and take down his “enemy” in Papalii.
In a significant selection change, Paulo has been elevated from a bench role in Origin I and II to be chosen by NSW coach Brad Fittler alongside Jake Trbojevic in the Blues starting front-row.
NSW Origin debutant and towering Knights prop Jacob Saifiti will start the match from the bench – an impact role he has mastered for Newcastle.
For Paulo, the 123kg Parramatta prop is acutely aware that, in front of a parochial Queensland crowd, this is the opportunity a footballer’s career can be defined by.
Paulo’s job will be to dominate his close mate Papalii, who he became close with over the course of three seasons at Canberra between 2016 and 2018.
Following the Blues final training session at Kingscliff before travelling into Brisbane on Monday, Paulo added that he was wary of a reaction from Papalii, who was under pressure to be chosen for the decider following two below-par Origin performances.
“Me and Papa (Papalii) have been mates for a long time now, but we obviously know when we get into this arena that you’re the best of mates, but the worst of enemies,’’ Paulo said.