‘I didn’t care’: How Bronco rose from NRL exile to unseat Origin stars

5 days ago 6

Josiah Karapani’s fledgling career was at a crossroads.

Discarded by the South Sydney Rabbitohs, he had been left questioning whether he would ever reach the pinnacle of the NRL.

He took a chance on a move north of the border – a development deal with the Brisbane Broncos, but a likelihood he would spend much of his time battling for the Burleigh Bears in the Queensland Cup.

Josiah Karapani is 80 minutes away from completing his remarkable NRL resurgence.

There were no guarantees.

Now, Karapani is 80 minutes away from tasting NRL premiership success, and in doing so, has kept two 2023 grand finalists – Selwyn Cobbo and Jesse Arthars – on the outer.

“I still can’t explain the emotions I’m feeling at the moment. It just feels unreal,” Karapani says.

“[The Broncos] have done a lot for me, they’re the ones who brought me in and gave me a second chance. I feel like I have to give it back.”

The turning point

Two years ago, Karapani was a far cry from the man who will take on Melbourne Storm and New Zealand winger Will Warbrick on Sunday night.

Sacked by South Sydney for turning up to training late and missing an entire video session as a result, it became clear Karapani’s mentality needed an adjustment.

“My headspace wasn’t really right at the time. It got to a point where I didn’t care any more, and I thought that’s it,” he said.

“I already had a crack trying to make it to the NRL, and just thought if it happens, it happens.”

Karapani’s manager, whose friendship with Burleigh coach Luke Burt worked in the youngster’s favour, had other ideas.

The now 23-year-old knew he would have his work cut out for him to break into the NRL, with State of Origin stars Cobbo and Corey Oates joined by Arthars in the wing tussle.

Still, Karapani knew this was his final chance.

“I just knew I needed to work my butt off, nothing comes easy, and I felt like I had to just work that extra mile to get to the point I’m at. I know it’s not an easy club to come through and make your spot on the team.

“You’ve really got to work hard and get other things right that I didn’t get right when I was in Sydney. It kind of felt like I was doing everything on my own and had to do everything by myself.

“It was a bit hard. Usually I find it easier that way, but there’s a massive difference coming here. I was shocked the Broncos wanted me to come in, I thought there was no way they want me.

“Even my family says I’ve really changed.”

Fighting his way into the premiership quest

If Karapani was to make his lifeline count, he needed mentors, and teammate Delouise Hoeter answered the call.

Having averaged 151 running metres a game while scoring nine tries from 11 appearances in the Burleigh colours, Hoeter’s guidance helped facilitate Karapani’s ascent – featuring for Brisbane nine times in his rookie campaign.

“He’s someone I look up to,” Karapani says.

“He’s always messaging me about stuff off the field, not so much on the field, but just making sure I’m doing things right away from footy.”

Karapani was still considered on the outer once Michael Maguire took the coaching reins.

Gehamat Shibasaki’s resurgence thrust Deine Mariner into the wingers battle with Karapani, Cobbo and Arthars.

But all he needed was an opportunity – ushered into the Brisbane line-up in round 14 on the back of the club’s four-game losing streak, when he scored a double against the Titans.

Karapani’s 12 games have yielded 11 tries, 14 line-breaks and 167 running metres a game, leading to a two-year contract extension that forced Cobbo’s move to the Dolphins.

Arthars, called into the Maroons squad for State of Origin game one this year, has been relegated to 18th-man duties, with Maguire unwilling to change a back five that has combined for 1749 running metres from their two finals triumphs.

Josiah Karapani has been one of the feel-good stories to come out of the Brisbane Broncos.

That same grunt work, Karapani says, will be crucial in dismantling the Storm on rugby league’s biggest stage.

“That was just the craft I was building playing QCup. I really found that part of the game really well, and when Madge gave me the call-up, that was the thing he wanted from me,” Karapani says.

“Madge had his trust in me, and I knew there was a lot of pressure. But I think pressure’s good, I just have to do what I believe I’m capable of.”