In 2013 Josh Papalii lined up in the green and gold as Australia defeated New Zealand in the final to win the 2013 World Cup at Old Trafford. Four years on he will represent Samoa and be on the other side of the coin as they try to knock the Kangaroos out of the World Cup quarter-finals.
Papalii, who has played eight Tests for Australia, has opened up on his snub by the Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga for the 2017 tournament.
“It's got to hurt when you've been in a team for so long (and not) getting picked,” he admitted.
“Then again my form wasn't the best. I understand how that plays (out)," Papalii said.
"He is the coach. He’s selected his team, who he thought could win the World Cup. I was not in there. To me it’s just a footy game. I'm playing for Samoa now. That's who I have to play good for. That's how I see it.”
Felise Kaufusi, Jordan McLean and Reagan Campbell-Gillard were all picked over him. The Raiders forward was selected for Australia’s May Anzac Test win in Canberra but had to pull out after a drink driving conviction.
"I was picked in the mid-year Test as well but I missed out because of discipline issues,” Papalii said.
“He is trying to set a good example for his team and I didn't fall under that. I was meant to go to PNG for the PMs XIII but lost my grandad before that game and I had to pull out. That was the last time I spoke to him.”
Samoa has had a poor World Cup to date, with just one draw and two losses from its three matches. Papalii knows it won’t be any easier on Friday in Darwin a TIO Stadium.
“It’s going to be a tough game,” he said.
"Anyone who's going up against Australia is going to be underdogs. We haven't had a win and it'd be nice to get one in Darwin. We’ve had a look at our stats compared to other teams and we’ve made the most errors in the World Cup so far. I think that’s where we’re letting ourselves down at the moment. We haven’t had a win in this whole tournament, which is disappointing. We still have one more chance on Friday night.”
Papalii knows Samoa’s opponents well. The 25-year-old made his debut for the green and gold in 2013, the same year he made his first appearance for Queensland in State of Origin. He is friends with many members of the Australian team, who also play for the Maroons.
Papalii feels Tonga’s historic win over New Zealand on Friday, the first time a tier two nation has ever beaten a tier one nation, has given the Samoan side confidence that they could do the same against Australia.
“It does. When we heard about the news the boys were pretty buzzed up about that. The boys are definitely keen to have a good game on Friday.”
