Billy Slater urged to recall Josh Papalii for Maroons in State of Origin decider

Queensland coach Billy Slater has been urged to make a major selection call by bringing veteran Josh Papalii out of representative retirement for the State of Origin decider.

Billy Slater has been urged to issue a State of Origin ‘SOS’ to retired Maroons warhorse Josh Papalii to deliver Queensland a stunning series victory.

Papalii has rocketed into the frame for a Queensland recall in the July 9 decider against the NSW Blues in Sydney.

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.

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‘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 second on the NRL ladder.

Josh Papalii has rocketed into the frame for a State of Origin recall. Picture: Peter Wallis

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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 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Moeaki 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 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.

Josh Papalii played 23 games for Queensland from 2013-22. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“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.

Josh Papalii was last in the Queensland side in 2022. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Carrigan will be picked and there is no suggestion Papalii will definitely be recalled, but he could be the type of player Queensland needs to beat the Blues at Accor Stadium.

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.”

Slater and his selectors will convene on Sunday night after the completion of round 17 NRL fixtures to pick an Origin III team, which will be announced on Monday.

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

Originally published as Billy Slater urged to recall Josh Papalii for Maroons in State of Origin decider