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Billy Slater recalls veteran Josh Papali'i for the Maroons, replacing Mo Fotuaika in the squad.
Billy Slater said recalling veteran Josh Papali'i to the Maroons side had been in the back of his mind for a couple of years.
Having retired from representative footy in 2023, the Raiders enforcer was handed an Origin recall for the series decider in Sydney next week, replacing Mo Fotuaika in the squad.
Papali'i is reportedly closing in on a Super League deal for next year.
Josh Papali'i returns to Queensland after a three-year retirement, rejoining for a crucial game.
Josh Papali'i is officially back in the Queensland side, ending his three-year representative retirement to make a comeback in what will be one of the biggest games of his career.
Papali'i retired from Origin footy before the 2023 season after 23 matches for Queensland and six series wins. Now he will play his first game for the Maroons since 2022 in a memorable comeback off the back of the Raiders' ladder-topping NRL rise.
"He's been doing a great job there," Maroons coach Billy Slater said on Monday morning.
"It's probably something that I've had in the back of my mind for a couple of years - in particular this year the way that Big Papa...
Josh Papali'i returns to Queensland's side after three years, reminiscent of former legend Allan Langer's comeback.
Josh Papali'i is officially back in the Queensland side, ending his three-year representative retirement to make a comeback in what will be one of the biggest games of his career.
Papalii retired from Origin footy before the 2023 season after 23 Origin matches and six series wins. In 2001 Maroons legend Allan Langer was also brought out of retirement by Wayne Bennett for the decider in what turned out to be a masterstroke.
His selection is deserved but also a surprise. It has that feel-good story to it like former Raider Adam Mogg's debut in 2006 when headlines screamed "Adam Who?". Mogg answered that question emphatically with two stellar...