Rugby League: Papalii

Showing posts with label Papalii. Show all posts

Monday, September 24, 2012

Papalii picks Maroons over Kiwis

Updated September 24, 2012 15:26:05

Canberra Raiders forward Josh Papalii has become the latest New Zealand player to choose State of Origin over country by declaring for Queensland.

The 20-year-old was born in New Zealand before moving to Australia with his family when he was six.

He played junior football in Brisbane and then joined Canberra's under-20s side before making his senior debut in 2011.

He told Grandstand that he was happy to have made the switch.

"Definitely, Queensland all the way now,'' Papalii said.

"It was (hard) at first, but talking to my parents and to a lot of boys made it easier."

Asked why he had taken the decision, Papalii pointed to the fact he had played all his junior and senior football in Australia.

He denied suggestions his decision was prompted by approaches from Queensland saying he was a wanted player for State of Origin.

"No, it was all my decision (and) my family," he said.

Papalii said he had spoken with his friend, former Canberra and New Zealand player Ruben Wiki about his decision and said there had been no problem with his choice.

"I've been talking to Ruben a lot lately, I told him where I want go with my life, and where I want to play in the future and he was happy and supportive of my decision," he said.

Earlier this year, Cowboys prop James Tamou - who was born in Palmerston North in New Zealand - renounced his ties to Kiwi ties to declare for New South Wales and Australia.

He made his Australian debut in the Anzac Day Test in New Zealand, and then was selected for the Blues for all three games of the Origin series.

Tags: sport, rugby-league, brisbane-4000, qld, canberra-2600, act, australia, new-zealand

First posted September 24, 2012 15:20:26

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Saturday, September 22, 2012

Papalii named in Kiwis train-on squad

Updated September 19, 2012 14:45:57

New Zealand has named Josh Papalii in its train-on squad for the end-of-year Test against Australia, as the Kiwis step-up their bid to convince the Canberra firebrand to commit to representing his country of birth.

Queensland Rugby League (QRL) is urging the in-form second-rower to swear his allegiance to the Maroons in State of Origin, but Australia left Papalii out of its train-on squad - giving the Kiwis the inside running for his services.

Papalii has had a breakout season for the Raiders but rose to prominence when he rattled the cage of Cronulla and New South Wales skipper Paul Gallen in the opening week of the NRL finals.

The Kiwis are desperate to secure the services of Auckland-born Papalii who has been compared to New Zealand and Raiders great Ruben Wiki.

Papalii was named in the train-on squad for the one-off Test against Australia in Townsville on October 13, with North Queensland players Jason Taumalolo and Antonio Winterstein also added to the list after the weekend's matches.

Being named in the squad draws Papalii closer to choosing the Kiwis, but in reality it means nothing until he actually pulls on the black jersey in a Test match.

Kangaroos and New South Wales prop James Tamou had previously been picked in a Kiwis train-on-squad, yet famously turned his back on New Zealand this year to face the Kiwis in the mid-year Test.

Papalii, Taumalolo and Winterstein join 14 others already named.

None of the trio have played for the Kiwis before, although Taumalolo and Winterstein have been with Kiwis training squads in the past.

Cowboys prop Ricky Thorby was unavailable for selection due to a hip injury which requires surgery.

Selectors Richie Barnett, Tony Iro, Stephen Kearney and Tawera Nikau will add further to the squad following the last two weekends of the NRL finals as teams continue to be knocked out.

NZ train-on squad: Gerard Beale, Josh Hoffman, Josh Papalii, Jeremy Smith, Jason Taumalolo, Antonio Winterstein, Sam McKendry, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Ben Henry, Shaun Johnson, Simon Mannering, Alehana Mara, Ben Matulino, Elijah Taylor, Manu Vatuvei, Adam Blair, Benji Marshall

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-league, nrl, new-zealand

First posted September 19, 2012 14:43:55

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Friday, September 14, 2012

Rabbitohs expect more of same from Papalii

Updated September 14, 2012 10:54:23

South Sydney are determined not to let Canberra hitman Josh Papalii unsettle them as he did Cronulla last week in the Raiders' elimination final win over the Sharks.

Papalii's efforts in getting under the skin of Cronulla captain Paul Gallen at Canberra Stadium played a significant part in extending the Raiders' end of season winning streak to six.

Post-game Gallen accused Papalii of a "dog shot" after the tough back-rower launched a number of bone-rattling hits on the New South Wales skipper.

Rabbitohs co-captain Roy Asotasi said his team-mates were aware the Raiders would be likely to follow similar tactics in Saturday night's semi-final at the Olympic stadium but insisted Souths would not be baited.

"That hit on Gallen, that's just finals football," Asotasi said.

"It is a tough game we play and you just have to expect that. It is a matter how you respond afterwards, we won't be too focused on what Josh will be doing on the weekend, we will just be focused on ourselves."

The Rabbitohs forward pack were outmuscled by a determined Storm outfit in their qualifying final loss and Asotasi said his men realise they need to lift if they are to keep their premiership hopes alive.

"We need to step it up this week, Canberra have got a lot of confidence, " Asotasi said.

"After last week's loss you can say the pressure is on us but we are not overly concerned about that, we have to concentrate on what we are doing because there are no second chances.

"Both sides will be looking forward to a big clash. I am probably going to have to stand up a bit more. There are a lot of big guys in the Canberra side and that is the challenge for our forward pack.

"We didn't do well against the Melbourne Storm and we will be out to prove a point."

English front-rower Sam Burgess said the Rabbitohs couldn't afford to concentrate on what Papalii might bring to the contest.

"We are not worried about him," Burgess said.

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-league, nrl, sydney-2000, nsw, canberra-2600, act, australia

First posted September 14, 2012 10:54:23

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