Two years after announcing his State of Origin retirement, Josh Papalii has answered a stunning SOS from Queensland coach Billy Slater and will lead the Maroons pack into the series decider.
The Canberra enforcer, who is tipped to leave the NRL at season’s end, has wound back the clock in 2025 as the Raiders surge to the top of the ladder, and is expected to start in the front row alongside Tino Fa’asuamaleaui in a comeback to rival that of Allan Langer 24 years ago.
Slater was asked upon his game two selections if there had been any temptation to lure the 33-year-old back. He said no at the time.
Josh Papalii in action for the Queensland Maroons.Credit: Getty
Papalii replaces Moeaki Fotuaika in one of three selection shocks, however there was still no room for his club teammate Corey Horsburgh – who ran for 193 metres and made 38 tackles for no misses in his final audition against Newcastle.
The greatest surprise has been reserved for Gehamat Shibasaki.
Shibasaki arrived in Brisbane this year on a train-and-trial deal, and has kept representative stars Selwyn Cobbo and Deine Mariner in reserve grade.
The 26-year-old – who has played a third of his 45 career NRL games this year since his 2018 debut – has scored 12 tries, made 13 linebreaks and 58 tackle busts while averaging 147 running metres a game for the Broncos.
It marks an incredible rise from obscurity, given as he entered the Broncos’ preseason for what he thought would be a 12-week stint, he believed his career was done.
Shibasaki’s inclusion comes at the expense of Reece Walsh, who has been named in the squad but is set to be overlooked for Kalyn Ponga’s vacant fullback jersey in favour of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.
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Walsh has been in electric form since returning from a knee injury, scoring two tries and coming up with four try assists, five linebreak assists and 11 tackle busts, while averaging 132 running metres a game in three victorious appearances for the Broncos.
The 22-year-old was favoured to take over from Ponga, who suffered a Lisfranc injury on Friday night, before Tabuai-Fidow’s four-try heroics for the Dolphins against South Sydney.
Valentine Holmes will shift to Tabuai-Fidow’s game two wing to accommodate Shibasaki.
Concerns regarding Walsh’s fitness may cost him, despite Broncos coach Michael Maguire declaring he was “well past it” a fortnight ago.
He has been targeted heavily in his five Queensland games, most famously when he was concussed badly following a Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii tackle which resulted in the latter being sent off.
However, Queensland forward and Broncos teammate Pat Carrigan said on Saturday night Walsh would respond to the pressure if called upon.
“He does what he does, and he tries to get nailed every week, so I know he’ll be up for it,” Carrigan said.
“He’s done the work, he’s more than ready to go. He’s grown, he’s still only 22, but he’s playing tough for us, and we’re really appreciating what he’s doing.”
Broncos captain and former New South Wales halfback Adam Reynolds also believed Walsh would provide the Blues with several headaches, given even in Queensland’s Perth triumph they were still outscored four tries to five.
“He belongs in that arena. He certainly would give the Blues a few headaches and things to think about, but I’m a Blue Wednesday,” Reynolds said.
“He brings a lot of X-factor to the team, and you don’t want to completely shut him off from that. I certainly love what he brings, and his energy, all the boys feed off that.”
Queensland Maroons’ game three squad
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow; 2. Xavier Coates; 3. Robert Toia; 4. Gehamat Shibasaki; 5. Valentine Holmes; 6. Cameron Munster; 7. Tom Dearden; 8. Josh Papalii; 9. Harry Grant; 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui; 11. Reuben Cotter; 12. Kurt Capewell; 13. Trent Loiero; 14. Kurt Mann; 15. Lindsay Collins; 16. Jeremiah Nanai; 17. Pat Carrigan; 18. Reece Walsh; 19. Josh Kerr; 20. J’maine Hopgood
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