Personal issues behind Josh Papalii’s drink-driving charge, axing from Australian side

A PRIVATE family issue is believed to be behind the erratic behaviour of Josh Papalii that led to a drink driving offence and his axing from the Kangaroos.

A PRIVATE family issue is believed to be behind the erratic behaviour of Canberra Raiders forward Josh Papalii that led to a drink driving offence and his subsequent axing from the Kangaroos side.

Papalii was stood down from next week’s Anzac Test against New Zealand in Canberra by the NRL on Friday, 24 hours after he pleaded guilty and was convicted of drink driving in ACT Magistrates Court.

But the Canberra backrower will be free to play for the Raiders against the Bulldogs today with the Canberra board not meeting until Monday to decide if there will be further sanctions.

Papalii 24, pleaded guilty to drink driving after recording a blood-alcohol reading of 0.123 on January 15, hours after leaving captain Jarrod Croker’s engagement party.

Papalii has been dropped from the Australia Test side.

In a bizarre twist, the court was told it was Papalii himself who twice called police after 2am to report his own car driving erratically “to prove a point”.

It was not revealed in court who he was out to prove a point to but sources have suggested his actions were related to family issues.

“He was trying to get a point across to some people close to him,” the source said.

“It was almost a cry for help that he couldn’t deal with what was going on around him.”

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg said given his conviction, there was little choice but to stand Papalii down from the Test.

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“Given that Josh pleaded guilty to drink driving we believe it is inappropriate for him to join the Kangaroos camp,” Greenberg said.

“We would expect that the decision to stand him down from the Test will be taken into consideration when the Raiders board considers the matter next week.”

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga said he supported the NRL’s decision.

“I have spoken to Josh and while it is disappointing for him to miss a Test, he understands the decision was made in the best interests of the team,” Meninga said.

“The game has made a really strong stance against this behaviour and I’m a very strong believer that this stance is the right course of action.”

The Raiders forward was dropped from the club’s leadership group.

While not condoning Papalii’s offence, Raiders CEO Don Furner said the backrower will be given an opportunity to explain his actions in front of the club’s board on Monday before a decision is made on possible further penalties.

“The Canberra Raiders have a strong record in dealing with player behaviour issues and this matter will be no different,” he said.

“The board meeting on Monday will give both parties time to consider the facts and to hear Josh’s side of the story before handing down any further sanctions.

“We have to also balance personal matters and player welfare in a sensitive and confidential manner, as best we can.”