Josh Papalii
Prop / second row
Player Bio
- Date of Birth:
- 13 May 1992
- Birthplace:
- Auckland, New Zealand
- Origin Debut:
- 26 June 2013
- Venue:
- Suncorp Stadium
Career
Achievements
- State of Origin debut - Game II, 2013 at Suncorp Stadium
Career statistics
- Games
- 20
- Points
- 12
- Tries
- 3
Biography
A rugby league wrecking ball, Josh Papalii is one of the NRL's most respected forwards, renowned as much for his power in attack, as for the effectiveness of his defence, and his ability to get a pass away in difficult circumstances.
He also has a big motor and a never-say-die attitude, as exemplified by the Canberra Raider's 60-metre chase and ankle tapping tackle on runaway Gold Coast Titans' halfback, Jamal Fogarty in Round 15, 2020.
Papalii was born in Auckland, New Zealand, and moved to Queensland with his family when he was five. He grew up at Woodridge in Logan, and played junior rugby league for Logan Brothers before he was signed by Canberra.
He played under 18s and under 20s before making his NRL debut for the club in 2011, and representing the Junior Kiwis.
After a breakout season with the Raiders in 2012, Papalii pledged his representative allegiance to Queensland and Australia, and was selected in the QAS Emerging Origin squad.
Every time he has put on the jersey he is going head first into collisions and that's the way he plays, he plays tough and it's cool to see.
Kevin Walters FOG #63
In 2013, Papalii enjoyed another solid season with the Raiders and was rewarded with selection for the Queensland Maroons in Game II, at Suncorp Stadium.
At the end of the season, he was chosen in the Australian squad for the World Cup in Britain, coming off the bench in Australia's 34-2 win over New Zealand in the final at Old Trafford, Manchester.
He has played 11 Tests for Australia on top of four Tests for Samoa, the country of his heritage, during the 2017 World Cup in Australia.
Papalii has firmly established himself as one of the premier forwards in the world, and has become a mainstay of the Queensland pack, having as of May 2022 played 20 matches for Queensland, most recently as a prop.
In 2019, he played a huge role in the Raiders' march to the NRL grand final. At the start of the 2022 season, Papalii had played 239 matches for the Raiders and scored 56 tries.
He has won the Mal Meninga Medal as Canberra's best player four times.
Papalii is signed to the club until the end of the 2025 season.
Former Origin Greats
Queensland Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.