Josh Papalii's mother says it was god that guided him to the Maroons

JOSH Papalii's mother has revealed her son's Maroons debut means so much to their family they all cried when told of his achievement.

JOSH Papalii's mother has revealed her son's Maroons debut means so much to their family they all cried in their lounge room when told of his achievement.

Luama Papalii said it had become frustrating to hear fans and New Zealand league officials criticise her son's decision to play for Queensland.

She said if they saw how emotional her son and their family were when hearing of the call-up they would not question his commitment.

Papalii is the Maroons' new blood for Wednesday's Origin II clash, brought into the team to beef up a forward pack that was out-muscled in Game One.

Queensland coach Mal Meninga said on the eve of Papalii's Origin debut that he had the "talent, attitude and aggression to succeed'' at the level. "Josh is made for Origin,'' Meninga said.

His selection has come under fire from Kiwi officials who had thought they would be able to utilise the 21-year-old's enormous talents in the black jersey.

Papalii played in age grade teams for both Queensland and the Kiwis and last year gave a verbal commitment to New Zealand Rugby League officials.

However, with a likely Test selection for New Zealand looming late last year, Papalii decided he wanted to repay the many Queensland coaches and development officers who made him the player he is today.

Former NZRL high-performance manager Tony Kemp reignited the debate last week when he said the Canberra Raiders forward was putting cash before country after being "hounded'' by the Maroons.

"It is totally wrong for Josh to be playing for Queensland,'' Kemp said. "Josh considers himself a Kiwi. You only have to look at his comments in the past to see that his heart is with New Zealand.''

Shy and deeply religious, Papalii moved to Logan aged 6 with his parents, who were seeking a better life.

Luama said the Papalii family, who moved to Canberra recently because their son was homesick, loved Queensland and what the state had provided for them. "It is frustrating because him playing for Queensland means so much to us,'' she said. "We were out shopping last weekend and when we came home Josh called us into the lounge room and sat the family down and said he had news.

"We had no idea what was happening and then said 'I'm playing for Queensland' and we were so happy for him.

"There were a lot of tears in the lounge room. We were all emotional.''

Luama said Queensland's bright sunshine and large backyards were why their family stayed in Logan after holidaying in Brisbane in the early 1990s.

She was adamant the family did not pressure their son into choosing the Maroons.

"Josh always talks to us about all his decisions because family is everything to us but me and his father Patrick told Josh he had to make the choice,'' Luama said.

"Josh went to his room and prayed for guidance and he chose Queensland.

"God showed him the path.''