Maroons rocked by star's sudden retirement

1 year ago 123

Queensland enforcer Josh Papalii has retired from State of Origin connected the eve of the 2023 series.

The Raiders front-rower follows successful the footsteps of his nine teammate Jack Wighton, who retired from Blues enactment recently.

Papalii, 31, played 23 Origin games for the Maroons.

"I've loved each infinitesimal of my clip playing for Queensland and representing the authorities and I person memories from my clip successful maroon I volition ne'er forget," Papalii said.

"For me, it's astir giving the adjacent procreation of Queensland players the accidental to correspond and it besides allows maine to ore connected my shot for the Raiders during the mediate portion of the season.

"I privation to convey each of the coaches implicit the years that person fixed maine the accidental to play for Queensland and each of the players who I person taken the tract with."

Josh Papalii has retired from the Maroons. (Getty images)

While New South Wales manager Brad Fittler said helium had been alert of Wighton's determination for immoderate time, it's unclear if Queensland manager Billy Slater knew astir Papalii.

Slater and his selectors volition unveil their squad connected Monday for crippled one, which is successful Adelaide connected Wednesday week.

"Josh's determination to discontinue from State of Origin showcases Josh's quality and his selflessness for his state," Canberra manager Ricky Stuart said.

Stream the NRL premiership 2023 unrecorded and escaped connected 9Now

"Playing 1 State of Origin lucifer is simply a immense achievement, but to play implicit 20 Origin matches implicit a decennary makes Josh 1 of the astir experienced and decorated players successful Origin history.

"His efforts for Queensland playing successful the toughest arena successful the toughest presumption volition everlastingly beryllium remembered and Josh volition spell down arsenic 1 of Origin's top players."

Papalii's Raiders teammate Corey Horsburgh is simply a accidental of an Origin debut and the status volition nary uncertainty bump him up the Queensland pecking order.

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