Papa v AFB: Cometh the hour, cometh the middle man

Of all the memorable battles Addin Fonua-Blake and Josh Papali’i have fought at NRL level over the years, it’s the international stage that produced perhaps their greatest ever showdown.

In blue corner of Samoa was Papalii, while Fonua-Blake donned the red of Tonga, as the two proud nations collided at the 2022 World Cup quarter-final in Warrington.

The Pacific showdown promised to be one of the games of the tournament, and from the pre-match Sipi Tau and Siva Tau war dances, to the hard-hitting defence and skill on the ball, it didn't disappoint. 

By the time the full-time siren sounded it was Samoa gripping on to win 20-18 with Big Papa carving out 157 run metres in a typically powerhouse display.

Come Sunday October 26 and these two giants of the modern game could well be going at it again when Tonga and Samoa rock the foundations of Suncorp Stadium in a Pacific Championships contest to savour.

It’s the game that everyone wants to see and Papalii and Fonua-Blake loom as key figures – just as they will be at GIO Stadium on Saturday when the Raiders and Sharks fight for survival in the NRL premiership race.

When the two sides met in Round 5 it was Papa having the last laugh as Canberra got home 24-20, despite the best efforts of Fonua-Blake who racked up 213 metres from 17 runs.

Now, the Sharks’ main man will again look to rack up big numbers and match Papa’s influence, while also ensuring Cronulla reverses that result and moves on to face Melbourne.

“They are a very physical side and we will have to fight fire with fire,” Fonua-Blake said.

“We will have our hands full in the middle with Papa and Joe Tapine.

“I feel like their middles are in the best form they have been in for a long time and I am looking forward to the battle.

“I used to watch Papa playing Origin and I loved the way he put on big hits and laid the platform for his teammates.

“He has been a great player for a long time now.”

Both men have enjoyed stellar seasons in 2025 and both have a fierce desire to claim a first grand final winner’s ring.

Papali’i made it to the big dance in 2019 only for the Raiders to be beaten by the Roosters, while Fonua-Blake has been as far as a preliminary final with the Warriors in 2023 that ended in a painful 42-12 loss to the Panthers.

The men from Sydney’s west would go on to claim their third title in a row that season before making it a fabulous four in 2024 but this year they have been forced to do it the hard way from outside the top four.

For the winner of Saturday’s clash at GIO Stadium, a daunting road trip to Melbourne follows, and then possibly a short at glory on October 5.

Just three weeks later all eyes will turn to Suncorp Stadium for a highly anticipated rematch of that 2022 World Cup quarter-final… and a chance for Big Papa and AFB to lock horns once again.

• Pacific Championships tickets on sale now via Ticketek