Reports have emerged from Australia that St Helens target Josh Papali’i “doesn’t want to go to Super League” and wants to remain in the NRL, wherever that may be.
The Canberra Raiders prop has been heavily linked with a move to the Saints, with ongoing talks between the two parties happening across the season.
However, Papali’i’s performances in 2025 earned him a recall to the State of Origin, where he played for Queensland in the deciding game against New South Wales.
Now, sources from down under say that the 33-year-old wants to remain in Australia and turn his back on any potential move to the UK.
NRL journalist, and writer for The Daily Telegraph, Michael Carayannis, spoke this morning on Fox Sports’ NRL 360, addressing his future, and it is not good news for fans of the Red Vee.
He said: “Everyone just assumed that Josh Papali’i was going to the Super League at the end of the season.”
He claimed: “I’m not sure if it his form, his Origin recall, whatever the case may be, but he’s made it clear to those close to him that he doesn’t really want to go to the Super League. He wants to remain in the NRL.”
Could St Helens miss out on Josh Papali’i?
Papali’i is Canberra’s most capped player, and has been a loyal servant to the Green Machine.
However, they may have already planned for life without their enforcer prop too early, and now have used up their current budget, meaning the Samoan international will have to look to other NRL outfits.
On his next steps, Carayannis said: “It’s caught the Raiders a little bit by surprise, they haven’t budgeted in their salary cap for him next season. Obviously, they will move everything to fit him in next year, but at the moment Josh Papali’i is on the market and open to offers from rival clubs.”
He also added that plenty of NRL clubs will be circling for his signature, with a player of his ability and experience on the open market a rare occurrence.
“He’s definitely open to listening, because the form that he’s in, the experience that he has, you could sit down and rattle off 10-12 sides that could do with a middle that could do with Josh Papali’i.
