Queensland Maroons team for State of Origin III: Billy Slater addresses surprise selections

Queensland enforcer Josh Papalii has been called out of State of Origin retirement to answer an ‘SOS’ from Billy Slater – but the veteran won’t be joining the rest of the Maroons until later in the week.

Come to Papa.

Queensland enforcer Josh Papalii has been called out of State of Origin retirement – with a catch.

Queensland coach Billy Slater issued Papalii an ‘SOS’ to help the Maroons to a memorable series victory in next week’s Sydney decider.

However while Queensland’s 20-man squad started arriving in Camp Maroon on the Sunshine Coast on Monday, Papalii was nowhere to be seen.

Papalii, 33, has been told to stay at home in Canberra and play doting dad before he bashes the Blues at Accor Stadium on Wednesday week.

Papalii and wife Sepa Salesa welcomed baby boy Jeremiah last Friday, just hours before Canberra took the field in Newcastle.

Josh Papalii is back in Maroon. Picture: Adam Head

Papalii missed the birth of Jeremiah, his fourth child, to play a key role in the Raiders’ 22-18 win against the Knights that propelled Canberra to the top of the NRL ladder.

He has been granted a leave pass from Camp Maroon to spend a few days with his new son before preparing for his first Queensland appearance since 2022.

“It’s a great story,” Slater said.

“Big Papa and his wife Sepa had another boy over the weekend so Papa’s going to have a couple of days to make sure his priority is being a dad.

“He’ll come into camp in a couple of days’ time and get into his preparation.

“We make sure the families are looked after. He will make sure that is his priority.

“When he gets into camp he’ll be full steam ahead.”

Papalii is one of the most feared front rowers in Queensland’s famed Origin history.

He debuted under Mal Meninga in 2013 and became a mainstay of the Maroons engine room, racking up 23 appearances until 2022.

Facing being overlooked for selection in the lead-up to the 2023 series, Papalii made the decision to announce his retirement from representative football.

But he has rediscovered his best form for the resurgent Raiders this year and played a key role in Canberra’s rise to the top of the NRL ladder.

That prompted Slater to ask Papalii to come out of retirement, at the expense of Titans prop Moeaki Fotuaika, and help deliver Queensland a famous series victory.

Papalii is expected to start in the front row and inject a hard edge into Queensland’s pack against Blues star Payne Haas and bench weapon Spencer Leniu.

“It’s something I’ve had in the back of my mind for a couple of years,” Slater said of recalling Papalii.

“Particularly this year with the way big Papa’s been playing for Canberra. He’s been doing a great job there. I thought this team could benefit from a bit of Josh Papalii.

“I was a bit unsure of the response I’d get. I spoke to Papa a couple of days ago and the response was where my head was at, which was fantastic.

“It shows you he’s still got that fire to play for this team, represent the people of Queensland and the fire to do a good job for his state.

“He’s got an aura about him. He is a real warrior and has been for a long time. I thought he could add something to our footy team.

“I’ve never discarded it or put a line through him. Although he’s retired, I always thought he’d love to come back for another game.”

The game will be Papalii’s 24th and final Origin as he weighs up a Super League swan song to finish his decorated career.

SLATER EXPLAINS SHIBASAKI, WALSH CALLS

Billy Slater made one of the boldest calls in Origin’s 45-year history by picking Shibasaki for a Queensland debut just months after he joined Brisbane on a train-and-trial contract.

Shibasaki started in round 1 for the Broncos and hasn’t let it slip, scoring 12 tries in 15 games for the Broncos this season to bolt into a dream Origin debut.

Shibasaki, 26, will start at left centre, with Dolphins flyer Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow edging out Broncos star Reece Walsh for the Queensland No. 1 jersey vacated by the injured Kalyn Ponga (foot).

Shibasaki thought he was only going to be part of Queensland’s extended squad when he received a phone call from Slater on Sunday night.

“He wasn’t overly emotional. He is 26 and quite mature, he speaks confidently,” Slater said.

“It was a great phone call. Initially he thought it was being part of the squad, but I said ‘no mate, you’re playing for Queensland’.

Gehamat Shibasaki is set for an Origin debut in the centres. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“You can tell it’s been a dream of his for a long time growing up in Townsville.

“He’s earnt the opportunity. I reiterated that. He’s here because of the actions he put in through the pre-season that earned him a spot in the Broncos.

“The individuals in this team give our people inspiration and inspire our state. Gehamat’s story is an inspiration.

“Six months ago he was on a train and trial contract at the Broncos. The rise of his game over the last six months has been exceptional.

“I told him last night you need two things to play for Queensland – you need to be capable and have the habits, the second is the opportunity to be put in front of you.

“Those two things presented on the weekend (through Ponga’s injury).

“It’ll be a dream come true.”

Reece Walsh is 18th man. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Slater said Tabuai-Fidow deserved a crack at the Queensland No. 1 jersey ahead of Walsh, who will be 18th man in his return to the Maroons from a knee injury.

“It’s the right fit for the team right now,” he said.

“He’s in a great stage of his career.

“Reece is a great player, there’s no one more proud to see Reece back on the field and doing what he’s doing.

“It’s a great luxury to have both of them in camp. I don’t think you can make a wrong decision but it’s the best fit for the team.

“Hammer deserves his opportunity to play in the number one.”