Maroons great Josh Papalii to come out of representative retirement for State of Origin decider

Queensland coach Billy Slater has sensationally recalled Josh Papalli for the State of Origin decider - two years after the prop dropped a bombshell by retiring from the Maroons team. See the likely team.

Josh Papalii has been recalled to the Maroons two years after retiring. Picture: Adam Head

Josh Papalii is back in business as a Queensland Origin enforcer.

Queensland coach Billy Slater has sensationally recalled the Raiders hitman for the Origin decider - two years after Papalii dropped a bombshell by retiring from the Maroons team.

This masthead understands Titans prop Mo Fotuaika is set to be axed to make way for the return of big ‘Papa’ to add some menace to the Maroons pack for Origin III on Wednesday week in Sydney.

The in-form Papalii is tipped to start alongside Tino Fa’asuamaleaui to rip into the Blues pack in a 25-minute cameo.

The news comes as Slater prpares to blood Broncos train-and-trialist Gehamat Shibasaki.

Papalii, 33, played 23 games for Queensland from 2013-22 and was regarded as one of the Maroons’ most feared front rowers. He is also a former Kangaroos (11 Tests) and Samoa (10 Tests) representative.

‘Big Papa’ announced his representative retirement in the lead-up to the 2023 Origin series when he faced being overlooked for selection.

However he has wound back the clock this season with a string of strong performances for the resurgent Canberra Raiders, who are sitting equal first on the NRL ladder.

Josh Papalii last Origin game was in 2022. Picture: Nigel Hallett

There is a view the fearsome Papalii, with his flowing mullet and scarred face, could inject a hard edge and Origin experience into Queensland’s forward pack for the decider.

Maroons middles Fa’asuamaleaui, Fotuaika, Lindsay Collins, Trent Loiero and Pat Carrigan haven’t exactly dominated their NSW rivals in the series, which is 1-all going into the decider.

Former Queensland utility Ben Hunt said on Wednesday Papalii still had what it took to thrive in the Origin arena.

“I hope to god it is true,” Hunt told 4BC in response to speculation about Papalii’s return.

“I would love to see big ‘Paps’ out there. There was never a time when he pulled on the jumper that he let Queensland down and he is playing great footy at the moment.

“He is the ultimate warrior. He would bring some real aggression up front if we brought him back in.”

The Blues have a punchy pack led by Game One man-of-the-match Payne Haas and bench weapon Spencer Leniu.

Their backrowers Hudson Young, Liam Martin and Angus Crichton are all explosive players with tempers and there is a view Queensland is lacking midfield mongrel.

Fotuaika rebounded from a poor Origin I with a solid performance in Perth last week as Queensland levelled the series with a 26-24 win, but is no selection certainty.

Fa’asuamaleaui is carrying a sternum injury which has seen his form plummet in the past few weeks.

Former Maroons lock Corey Parker said Papalii’s form was up to Origin standard.

“Absolutely, I pencilled him in my team for Origin II but then I thought, well, he’s retired, so they won’t pick him,” he said.

“Absolutely he can do a job. He’s probably playing as good a footy now as he ever has. He just seems comfortable.

“It would be a question Queensland could ask him if he wants to come out of retirement.

“He’d be fine playing Origin. He plays week in, week out at NRL level and I understand Origin is quicker, but he’s only looking to do 25 minutes at most.

“He’d bring a bit of intimidation. There’s no bulls*** with Papa and he would get stuck into the Blues. I’ve played against him and it’s never fun playing against Papa.

“I think Papa or Corey Horsburgh deserve to be considered for Game Three.”

Papalii’s Raiders teammate Horsburgh was part of Queensland’s Game Two squad.

Elsewhere, the Maroons have been given a boost with Valentine Holmes cleared of any serious knee injury.

Holmes was seen limping in the final moments of St George Illawarra’s win against Parramatta on Saturday night.

However the knee did not even require a scan paving the way for Holmes to be selected in Origin III.