St Helens the front runners as legendary NRL forward closes in on Super League switch

A legendary NRL forward looks almost certain to make the switch to Super League with St Helens the likely landing spot.

St Helens will be losing loose forward Morgan Knowles to the NRL at the end of this year with the Cumbrian set to join former Saints boss Kristian Woolf at the Dolphins, however, it looks like the Red Vee have secured Knowles’ replacement.

They’ve long been linked with Canberra Raiders veteran Josh Papali’i and it seems that the 33-year-old will definitely be moving to England, with St Helens the likely destination.

Papali’i is a club legend at Canberra, having debuted for them in 2011 and been a one-club man throughout his career. He currently sits in an elite group of NRL players to have played 300 or more games for the same club, sitting on 320 at the time of writing.

It’s now been confirmed by club head coach Ricky Stuart that Papali’i is looking to end his career in England, unwilling to play for another NRL team against the Raiders.

St Helens set to land Papali’i on two-year deal

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Stuart said: “Papa (Papalii) came and spoke to (CEO) Don Furner and I some time ago and told us that he has some interest in England and also other NRL clubs and he simply said, I can’t play against the Raiders and I’ll look to secure a contract in England at some stage,’’ Stuart told The Daily Telegraph.

“From our club’s point of view, we couldn’t be prouder of Josh. He’s been an extremely loyal player and when the discussion turns to legends of the Raiders, one of the first name’s spoken will be Papa’s.”

Stuart admitted that he was unsure of what happens next but it’s understood that St Helens is the destination for Papali’i with a two-year deal reportedly on the table.

The coach admitted: “How this unfolds for Papa I’m not sure, but what I do know is that he’ll give everything he has until the very last step he takes on the field for the Raiders.”