Josh Papalii refuses to rule out move to rival club, rising Dragons playmaker Jonah Glover signs with Rabbitohs

Despite suggestions he would rather move overseas than play against the Raiders, Josh Papalii has refused to rule out signing with a rival NRL club for next season.

Recalled Maroons enforcer Josh Papalii has refused to rule out signing with a rival NRL club after being dubbed Queensland’s “saviour” in his Origin return.

Papalii is preparing to leave a final mark on the State of Origin arena when he comes out of representative retirement for a one-game cameo in Wednesday’s series decider in Sydney.

The 23-game Queensland great sat out the past two series before receiving an ‘SOS’ from Maroons coach Billy Slater to bash the Blues at Accor Stadium.

Papalii, 33, has rediscovered his best football for the resurgent Raiders this season, playing a key role in Canberra’s climb to the top of the NRL ladder.

But the 321-game Raiders legend, the most-capped player in Canberra’s history, has not been offered a contract extension beyond this year.

Josh Papalii hasn’t ruled out joining an NRL rival if he decides to play on in 2026. Picture: Getty Images

Papalii was expected to head overseas to the Super League to finish his career instead of playing against his beloved Raiders.

However he threw a curveball on Thursday in Camp Maroon by declaring he hasn’t ruled out remaining in the NRL following the birth of his fourth child last week.

“I’m still unsure (if this will be my last year in the NRL). I feel like I still got a lot to offer as a player and as a mentor and just being an older head,” Papalii said.

“I still feel like I can play good footy and I think our season down in Canberra is showing that. You put an older head among younger boys and there’s a bit of control, and obviously a bit of fun off-field and all that, but we know how to go about our work.

“I’m just taking it one week at a time. Yes, I am a bit older, but a bit wiser too.

“Holding the record for Canberra now, overtaking Jason Croker down there with the most games for Canberra Raiders, is obviously very special, and that’s how I sort of want to keep it.

“But if the team that you’re playing for is not offering you another contract for the following year and you want to play on, you’ve obviously got to look elsewhere.

“Never say never. I still feel like I’ve got a lot of footy in me, whether that’s in the NRL or Super League.”

Despite having the record for most Raiders appearances, he could still play against his beloved team. Picture: NRL Photos

Having debuted for Queensland in 2013, Papalii announced his retirement from the representative arena in the lead-up to the 2023 Origin series when he faced being overlooked for selection.

Slater contemplated calling him up on numerous occasions since then before biting the bullet with Queensland staring down the barrel of back-to-back series defeats.

Papalii has been nicknamed “saviour” by Maroons captain Cameron Munster and has been tipped to put fear into the eyes of NSW.

But the gentle giant said he was on a mission to keep his cool in the sold-out blockbuster and lead Queensland the smart way.

“Yes it’s my last game, but I just need to do my job. I don’t have to go out and be the hero that people think I’m going to be,” he said.

“I’m sick of him (Munster) calling me saviour or whatever (laughs). I’m a front-rower, my job’s pretty simple and I’ve just got to make sure I’m the best at playing simple.

“I feel like I don’t have to come in and do anything special. You don’t really get many special things out of front rowers these days anyway, so I just need to come and do my job and hopefully that can contribute to a win next Wednesday.”

Papalii is preparing to leave a final mark on the State of Origin arena when he comes out of representative retirement. Picture: Getty Images

Rumours of a possible Queensland recall emerged last week and Canberra coach Ricky Stuart, a former NSW coach, broached Papalii about the prospect at a Raiders training session.

Slater then called Papalii over the weekend while he was in hospital with wife Sepa and newborn son Jeremiah.

“I missed the first couple of calls because my little fella and my wife were still in hospital at the time and there were a few complications with my little one,” Papalii said.

“I spoke to Bill when I had that little break and he asked me one question and if I had one more game in me and I replied with an ‘F bomb’ and said yes. I had one more left.

“There’s expectation and there’s doubt as well. But I’m a massive believer and I know what I can do, I know what I bring and I feel like my game’s made for it.

“Saying yes was the easy bit, but it’s the stuff in between, the training sessions, I am a bit older, it takes me a lot longer to warm up.

“They’re the little things I need to get over, but come Wednesday, I don’t need to get motivated to play Origin.

“It’s Origin. I grew up watching Queensland play and it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do.”

RISING DRAGONS PLAYMAKER SIGNS WITH SYDNEY NRL RIVAL

—Brent Read

South Sydney have secured promising St George Illawarra half Jonah Glover for next season.

This masthead understands that Glover, a star of the Dragons’ NSW Cup side that has been riding high near the top of the ladder this season, has agreed to a two year deal with the Rabbitohs.

Glover has had 15 try assists and 16 line break assist in 15 games for the Dragons.

St George Illawarra have won 11 times, including eight wins in a row before their weekend loss to Parramatta.

The 22-year-old Glover’s path to first grade at the Dragons has been blocked by Lyhkan King-Togia and Kyle Flanagan. The Dragons also have Lachlan Ilias under contract.

Jonah Glover will join South Sydney next season.

Souths, meanwhile, have had a revolving door in the halves this season due to injury. Cody Walker has missed much of the season with injury while Jamie Humphreys has been the preferred No.7.

Glover’s arrival is likely to make life more difficult for English playmaker Lewis Dodd, who has struggled to make an impact since his big-money move from Super League.

Originally published as Josh Papalii refuses to rule out move to rival club, rising Dragons playmaker Jonah Glover signs with Rabbitohs