Josh Papalii is firming for a Queensland Maroons call-up having rediscovered his love of the game just six weeks after being dropped to reserve grade.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Papalii faces an anxious wait with Kevin Walters set to name his Queensland squad on Monday, in preparation for the State of Origin series opener against the NSW Blues at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 6.
The Raiders forward did his chances no harm with an impressive showing in a thrilling one-point against the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles at Canberra Stadium on Friday night.
The 26-year-old told Fairfax Media after Canberra's loss to St. George Illawarra he feared the Green Machine's indifferent start to the season would put a line through his name.
But now he looks set to ride the high of a close win straight into another Maroons jersey and build on his nine Queensland caps.
"I’m just enjoying my footy and I’m just happy to be playing week in, week out for the boys," Papalii said.
"I’m not too worried about [State of Origin selection]. I’m just going to soak this win in and whatever happens, happens. That’s on Monday.
"There’s no need to carry on. We’re only one win outside of the eight now and we just have to keep working hard and keep chipping away."
While Papalii wouldn't buy in to talk he will be in the Queensland squad for the series opener, his Raiders teammate Joe Tapine insists he has done enough to warrant selection.
Papalii returned from his World Cup commitments with Samoa overweight last year but Tapine has noticed a seismic shift in the 26-year-old's attitude that has seen him trim down and rediscover his best form.
"Definitely [he should be picked]. He has got himself into great shape and he is playing some great footy, so I think he is a real chance of playing," Tapine said.
"His mindset has changed a lot and the staff have helped him out a lot I reckon. He has changed for the better and we’re seeing Paps play his best footy.
"He takes tough carries and takes a lot of work off the boys. He is one of those players you want to play with, and I’m glad Paps is on my team and not the other team."
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart is another that is more than happy to have Papalii on his side - he just wishes he had more like him.
The Maroons incumbent led the way for the Canberra pack in the metres gained department for the second week in a row during a thrilling win over Manly.
For the second week in a row, he was the only Raiders forward to crack three figures - and doing it for one game on the edge and one through the middle suggests he would add versatility to Queensland's pack.
However Papalii maintains Canberra's go-forward has been solid enough to build off and now he hopes the monkey is off the back when it comes to closing out tight games.
"The boys were a bit emotional after just because we’ve lost a lot of those close games and to finally get one of our own is pretty special," Papalii said.
"There’s no need to get carried away now. We know we are sitting just outside the eight now and hopefully we build some momentum and get a win the week after [the bye].
"Most coaches talk about the game before the bye as a four-point game and we definitely dug deep. It was a good win.
"To finally win a close one was pretty special."
