Origin prop having 'second thoughts' about overseas move

Joshua Mayne

Origin prop having 'second thoughts' about overseas move image

Josh Papali'i is reportedly considering staying in Canberra.

The popular prop – who made an unlikely State of Origin return this year – was set to depart the Raiders at the end of 2025.

He had been linked with a move to Super League club St Helens, but is now having "second thoughts", per 9News' Danny Weidler.

Canberra is now set to explore options to re-sign the 33-year-old, despite reportedly informing him earlier this year that a fresh deal would not be possible.

MORE: 35-year drought weighs on the Canberra Raiders

 

"Josh Papali'i is having second thoughts about wanting to go to England," Weidler wrote on X.

"The question has been in Raiders HQ whether he can stay one more year.

"It's under consideration."

Hudson Young Josh Papalii

Papali'i has been in top form this season, averaging 102 run metres and recording 97.7 per cent tackle efficiency.

This saw him drafted in Queensland's side for the Origin decider, despite stepping down from the representative fixture in 2023.

He also became Canberra’s most capped player in June, surpassing Jason Croker’s previous record of 318 games.

Joshua Mayne

Joshua Mayne is a content producer for The Sporting News currently based in Sydney, Australia. He has previously worked as a newsreader at 2SER and a journalist at Ministry of Sport. Joshua specialises in rugby league, motorsport and tennis. He is still waiting for Arsenal to win the Premier League again.