Billy Slater revealed that the thought of bringing back veteran Josh Papali’i to the Maroons had been lingering in his mind for quite some time. After retiring from representative football earlier in 2023, Papali’i has been summoned for an Origin recall to replace Mo Fotuaika in next week’s series decider in Sydney. Reports indicate that he is also nearing a deal with a Super League club for the upcoming season.
Having donned the Maroons jersey on 23 occasions and scored three tries, Papali’i’s inclusion has been well-considered. Slater commented on Papali’i’s impressive performance for the Canberra Raiders, noting, “This year, particularly the way Big Papa has been playing, he’s been doing a great job.”
Slater conveyed his belief that Papali’i would significantly contribute to the team, having recently spoken to him. The response he received aligned with Slater’s thoughts, expressing Papali’i’s eagerness to represent Queensland once more: “He’s still got that fire to play for this footy team and represent the people of Queensland.”
Papali’i’s return is reminiscent of Allan Langer’s dramatic recall for the Maroons in the 2001 decider, where Langer played a pivotal role in securing the series. Slater sees Papali’i possessing a similar “aura,” referencing him as a “real warrior” who has long been an integral part of the team. He expressed confidence that Papali’i’s presence would boost his teammates’ belief during the match.
In making his decision, Slater emphasised that he had never entirely ruled out Papali’i despite his retirement. Recognising how well he has performed for Canberra, who currently lead the competition, Slater was convinced that the time was right for his return.
This announcement comes during an emotional period for Papali’i. Recently, he made history as the most-capped Raider, making his 319th appearance, during which he scored two tries and added a conversion. Additionally, he and his wife Mesepa welcomed their fourth child, a baby boy, over the weekend.
In a nod to family priorities, Slater indicated that Papali’i would not join his teammates in camp immediately but would take extra time at home to focus on being a father before the Origin match.