maddest_kiwi
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BOOM Canberra second-rower Josh Papalii is a wanted man, not only from rival clubs but Queensland coach Mal Meninga.
Papalii was born in New Zealand but Meninga has been trying to convince the Queensland-raised player to change his allegiance and make himself available for the Maroons. So far the 108-kilogram giant isn't budging.
Last year the 19-year-old was a member of the Junior Kiwis squad but the Souths Logan junior also donned a maroon guernsey for the Queensland under-18s team in 2010.
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''I am into him about playing for Queensland but he won't budge at the moment,'' Meninga said.
''I've been into him for about 12 months and he won't change his mind. Every time I get an opportunity I mention it to him and every opportunity I have mentioned it to him he has always shaken his head saying, 'No, I am available for New Zealand'.''
Meninga has not given up hope of changing Papalii's mind though he does not blame him wanting to represent his country of birth despite moving to Australia in primary school.
Meninga, who works as a coaching consultant for Canberra, was impressed by Papalii's performance against Gold Coast on Saturday, particularly his muscling up in defence. Meninga said a shoulder charge on Titans forward Mark Minichiello, forcing the veteran into error, was a game-changing moment.
''He was fantastic and put on some really good plays when the chips were down and they needed something. The great hit he did [on Minichiello] allowed the Raiders to keep the pressure on and things like that are fantastic,'' he said.
''Those sort of things are really important from individuals in the team to come up with a big play and that changed the momentum of the game.''
Meninga believes more should be done to ensure the junior talent nurtured in Australia remains eligible to play for their state after Jack Reed, Gerard Beale and Josh Hoffman all put other national aspirations ahead of potential Queensland and Australian represent honours.
''It is disappointing [to lose those players] as it is my belief that if you invest all your time, energy and money to a junior coming through the club system here in Australia they should automatically be involved in Queensland or NSW,'' he said.
Canberra and Queensland front-rower David Shillington had not heard about Meninga's plans for Papalii but thought the 19-year-old could adapt to the higher level of Origin if he made himself eligible.
''It would be good to have him on board, he is a talented player for a young fella and he is only going to get better,'' Shillington said. ''We saw his hitting power on the weekend, he put a couple of really good shots and that is the sort of stuff Origin in built on.''
www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/big-mal-wants-to-see-papalii-in-maroon-20120312-1uwjb.html
Oz's at it again... Steve Kearney may want get him involved with the squad (rather than just the juniors) to ensure he doesn't pull a Queensland or even worse a Kangaroo jersey.
Papalii was born in New Zealand but Meninga has been trying to convince the Queensland-raised player to change his allegiance and make himself available for the Maroons. So far the 108-kilogram giant isn't budging.
Last year the 19-year-old was a member of the Junior Kiwis squad but the Souths Logan junior also donned a maroon guernsey for the Queensland under-18s team in 2010.
Advertisement
''I am into him about playing for Queensland but he won't budge at the moment,'' Meninga said.
''I've been into him for about 12 months and he won't change his mind. Every time I get an opportunity I mention it to him and every opportunity I have mentioned it to him he has always shaken his head saying, 'No, I am available for New Zealand'.''
Meninga has not given up hope of changing Papalii's mind though he does not blame him wanting to represent his country of birth despite moving to Australia in primary school.
Meninga, who works as a coaching consultant for Canberra, was impressed by Papalii's performance against Gold Coast on Saturday, particularly his muscling up in defence. Meninga said a shoulder charge on Titans forward Mark Minichiello, forcing the veteran into error, was a game-changing moment.
''He was fantastic and put on some really good plays when the chips were down and they needed something. The great hit he did [on Minichiello] allowed the Raiders to keep the pressure on and things like that are fantastic,'' he said.
''Those sort of things are really important from individuals in the team to come up with a big play and that changed the momentum of the game.''
Meninga believes more should be done to ensure the junior talent nurtured in Australia remains eligible to play for their state after Jack Reed, Gerard Beale and Josh Hoffman all put other national aspirations ahead of potential Queensland and Australian represent honours.
''It is disappointing [to lose those players] as it is my belief that if you invest all your time, energy and money to a junior coming through the club system here in Australia they should automatically be involved in Queensland or NSW,'' he said.
Canberra and Queensland front-rower David Shillington had not heard about Meninga's plans for Papalii but thought the 19-year-old could adapt to the higher level of Origin if he made himself eligible.
''It would be good to have him on board, he is a talented player for a young fella and he is only going to get better,'' Shillington said. ''We saw his hitting power on the weekend, he put a couple of really good shots and that is the sort of stuff Origin in built on.''
www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/big-mal-wants-to-see-papalii-in-maroon-20120312-1uwjb.html
Oz's at it again... Steve Kearney may want get him involved with the squad (rather than just the juniors) to ensure he doesn't pull a Queensland or even worse a Kangaroo jersey.
