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One of rugby league’s most prolific point scorers has declared the rapid rise of Josiah Karapani has been no fluke, insisting the Broncos’ flyer had the tools to become a mainstay in the NRL.
Former two-time grand final winger Luke Burt watched a “laid back” Karapani arrive under his tutelage at the Burleigh Bears on what appeared to be his final lifeline, having been discarded by the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
The Auckland product reportedly turned up late to training during his Redfern tenure, missing a video review session and was told to move on, arriving in Brisbane on a development contract and being designated to Burt’s Burleigh outfit in reserve grade.
Josiah Karapani has been one of the feel good stories to come out of the Brisbane Broncos.Credit: Getty Images
Burt, whose 1793 points with the Parramatta Eels puts him at 13th on the record list, was the benefactor of the 23-year-old being left out of Brisbane’s full-strength line-up – scoring six tries while averaging 152.5 running metres and 5.5 tackle busts a game before earning a Broncos recall.
Karapani also returned for one more match following his axing after a narrow defeat to, ironically, the Eels, to help the Bears conquer the Redcliffe Dolphins.
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Speaking ahead of Burleigh’s Queensland Cup grand final clash with Norths Devils on Saturday, Burt declared he always knew Karapani would not be featuring on his flank for long.
Based on his form – scoring 11 tries in 11 games this year, while making 14 linebreaks and averaging 167 running metres an outing – the 264-game player-turned-coach may not get the chance again to call on Karapani.
“He was a very cruisy and laid-back character, but I think he’s learnt to be professional and work hard at his game,” Burt said.
“He’s reaping the rewards, he’s tightened a few things off the field around preparation, and he’s absolutely killing it – I couldn’t be prouder of him.
“He came here through a mate of mine who’s a manager, and I’m super excited seeing how he’s going, and he’s playing some fantastic football.”
When Karapani earned his NRL recall, Burt was still flushed with options, as Deine Mariner and Jesse Arthars also donned the purple and white colours in 2025.
Arthars has been named as the Broncos’ 18th man for their preliminary final battle with the Panthers on Sunday, while Mariner has been dealt the task of opposing Penrith star Brian To’o.
While Mariner has featured for Brisbane 17 times this year, he found himself on the outer twice this season – demoted following the heavy round 13 loss to Manly, having been initially down the pecking order behind Arthars, Selwyn Cobbo, Gehamat Shibasaki and Kotoni Staggs.
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But the Kiwi prospect’s comeback in round 22 has triggered some of the best form of his career – scoring six tries while making seven linebreaks and averaging 164.57 metres a game from those seven encounters.
His and Karapani’s exploits have kept both Queensland Maroons squad members Cobbo and Arthars – the last wingers to feature in a Brisbane decider – out of the Broncos’ most important fight.
“Their attitude was just fantastic – they bought into the playing group, bought into what we were doing, and they’re still supporting us now,” Burt said.
“We’re still getting text messages from them wishing the boys all the best. We knew Deino was just coming back to get some form back, and he bought in and scored some unbelievable tries for us.
“But he needs to be playing Sunday afternoon for the Broncs.”
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