Tapine supports Papali'i, focusing on game despite off-field issues before Las Vegas trip.
One half of the Canberra Raiders' intimidating starting prop duo, Joe Tapine, is backing teammate Josh Papali'i to put aside his off-field drama ahead of a blockbuster round one in Las Vegas.
The Raiders will leave Canberra on Thursday morning to start their journey for the NRL's Sin City spectacular on March 2, with the team to base itself in Las Vegas for a full week of preparations.
But they return, the legendary forward Papali'i will face ACT Magistrates Court on March 6 fighting charges of intimidating police and failing to leave a licensed premises for an alleged incident on September 16 at Raiders Gungahlin licensed club.