Just days before his triumphant Origin farewell, Maroons enforcer Josh Papalii was sleeping in a hospital chair beside his wife and their newborn son.
Yet in a campaign overwhelmed with disruptions, doubt and pressure, Queensland coach Billy Slater knew that Papalii was the steadying influence the Maroons needed for the series decider at Accor Stadium.
“I was terrified when he picked the phone up that he was gonna be empty of that fire,” Slater said after Queensland’s 24-12 win.
“But within a couple of words, I felt he still had it. At 33-years-old, the big fella’s done his duty for Queensland and come back one last time. That story will be told as a legacy for many years to come.”
Papalii had missed several phone calls from Slater as he was in hospital with wife, Mesepa, and their fourth child, Jeremiah, but the Raiders great was eager to return for one last chapter.
“I was happily retired but I’m always going to bleed Maroon [so] when I saw Bill’s number pop-up, I said yes,” Papalii said.
In a post-match press conference thick with emotion, Slater detailed how Papalii didn’t need to speak much in camp as his presence alone inspired.
“He has just got that aura about him and everyone felt safe,” Slater said.
Papalii’s return resonated deeply with his teammates, in particular, fellow prop Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, who debuted for Queensland alongside him in 2020.
Slater draws comparisons on QLD resilience from 1995
“Papa was there in my debut series, and I’ve been through a lot of series with him. So, to have him back and come out of retirement, it was such a good feeling," Fa’asuamaleaui told ljmpta.com.
Since day one I was off his hip. Everywhere he went I was there just soaking in the time I had with him.
"We are just so glad that we could send him off with a win.”
Fa’asuamaleaui's admiration didn’t stop there as he hailed Papalii as “an inspiration” both on and off the field.
“He’s been there, done that, in the game and the figure that he is within our game. He is massive for the NRL, and he is massive for us Queenslanders. He is an inspiration, and he inspired everyone tonight.” Fa’asuamaleaui said.
For Papalii, doubts lingered. Could he still keep pace in the ferocious Origin arena? Was there a place for him in a new generation of explosive Maroon forwards?
“I thought about that phone call that Billy gave me, and you know, straight away I had tears in my eyes," Papalii said.
"There were doubts in my mind as to whether I still had it, whether it was the right move to come back, especially with the forward pack that Queensland does have.
"I am so glad I picked that phone up and said yes because it’s all paid off now,”
“It’s always a privilege and honour to represent this state, this jersey and especially when I’m running our next to the skipper and all the brothers, it is always an honour.”
The Australian and Samoan international made his answer known in the opening 15 minutes with his relentless carries, crunching tackles, and a presence that couldn’t go unnoticed as he terrorised the Blues for one final time.
Papalii and Latrell are fired up!
Papalii’s return was more than just a "last hurrah", it was a masterclass in leadership and grit.
With the outside noise surrounding the Queensland squad, his last ride will now live alongside the legends who answered the state’s call in its hour of need.
“They ruled us out in probably the first 10 minutes of the first game," Fa’asuamaleaui said.
"To be able to go out there and prove them all wrong and do it for our state and do it for our brothers and our families. It’s such a good feeling.
"We love being comfortable in an uncomfortable situation. I’m just so glad we got the win tonight and we’ll enjoy this one.”
