IN a moment of desperation for Queensland, when the Origin title was on the line, former Woodridge school boy Joshua Papali’i was brought out of retirement to help the Maroons forge victory.
Only days earlier, the ex Logan Brothers player and current Canberra Raiders prop was at hospital, sleeping in an uncomfortable chair next to the bed of his wife who had just given birth to their fourth child.
Still, Mr Papali’i left it all to represent his state one final time.
Now labelled a hero and one of Queensland’s best by pundits and journalists, the 33-year-old has announced the 9 July clash against the Blues was his final State of Origin appearance.
But this is not the first time he has made that statement.
Mr Papali’i retired from representative footy in 2022, but dusted off his boots and jumped back on the saddle upon answering a phone call from Maroons coach Billy Slater.
“I was happily retired watching game one and two,” he said.
“I said I wasn’t going to come back, but when I saw Bill’s [Billy Slater] number pop up I said, ‘yes’.
“I missed the first couple of calls from Bill due to my son being in hospital and my wife as well. There were a few complications with the birth.
“I knew what value I could bring to this footy team – that calm head amongst the group.”
Mr Papali’i joined his fellow Maroons players at camp just days later.
“I was terrified when he picked the phone up he was going to be empty of that fire and say ‘Sorry, Bill, my days are done’,” Mr Slater said.
“But within a couple of words I felt he still had that fire in him.
“I’m sure Queensland is so appreciative of what [Mr Papali’i] has done.”
He said Mr Papali’i had “done his duty for Queensland”.
“To come back one last time and perform like that is incredible,” Mr Slater said.
“That story will be told as a legacy for many years to come.”
Mr Papali’i missed the first two Origin matches and the first three days of training camp for game three, but didn’t miss a beat once he stepped onto the field.
“That first 15 minutes just laid that platform for the rewards to be reaped, and then he went out in the second half – at 33 years old,” Mr Slater said.
“He came [to camp] on Wednesday and he had that real calming influence over the team… I felt it straight away – everyone felt safe.
“I am so appreciative of what he has done.
“His wife had a baby a week before, and the big fella slept in a hospital chair for a couple of nights. His priority was being a dad and making sure his family was okay.”
