Papali’i delivers blow to Maroons
Josh Papali’i has dropped a bombshell ahead of the State of Origin series by standing down from Queensland selection.
The Queensland champion and Raiders enforcer phoned Maroons coach Billy Slater earlier this week to break the news that he wanted to retire from the Origin arena.
Papali’i will continue to make himself available for Samoa at international level.
Papali’i retires as a Queensland legend having made his Maroons debut in 2013, featuring in 23 matches and five series wins.
The 31-year-old stands down alongside a list of Maroons legends that includes the same number of state appearances as Trevor Gillmeister and Brent Tate and ahead of the likes of Cooper Cronk (22), Matt Scott (22) and Shane Webcke (21).
Papali’i’s shock decision will force Slater into a changing of the guard in his pack with the likes of Lindsay Collins, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Patrick Carrigan, Tom Gilbert and Jai Arrow to take over in the Maroons forward pack.
Slater lauded Papali’i’s contribution to the Maroons.
“I was fortunate to feel both the presence Papa gave as a teammate and the confidence he gave me as a coach,” Slater said. “Josh’s commitment and performance in his last Origin game typified his career in Maroon – heart, selfless and committed to his team … a warrior of the Origin arena.”
Papali’i revealed the reasons behind his retirement.
“For me, it’s about giving the next generation of Queensland players the chance to represent and it also allows me to concentrate on my football for the Raiders during the middle part of the season,” he said.