RUGBY LEAGUE
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It's been a roller-coaster 12 months for hard-hitting forward Josh Papalii.
He was robbed at gunpoint in England last November before going on to help Australia beat New Zealand in the World Cup final.
He returned to play for NRL club Canberra but spent three weeks on the sideline with an ankle injury, and subsequently dropped himself from first grade to rediscover some form.
Papalii was left out of Tim Sheens’ squad for the Anzac Test in April, but was picked up by Mal Meninga to play State of Origin.
He endured a tough season with the Raiders in which they narrowly avoided the competition’s wooden spoon.
The 22-year-old finished the year by returning to the Australian team for the Four Nations tournament, and has now earned a spot in the starting 13 for Sunday’s clash with Samoa at WIN Stadium.
He will be on the field for kick-off in a Test for the first time in his career.
‘‘Pretty excited,’’ Papalii said.
‘‘The occasion will be big, it’s a must-win game, so [we have to] deliver on Sunday.’’
It’s been a long journey for the man who asked coach Ricky Stuart in April to drop him to reserve grade because he was unhappy with his form in the NRL.
Papalii fought his way back and will now start at prop for Australia in a critical Four Nations clash in Wollongong.
Kangaroos coach Sheens opted to promote Papalii off the bench and start Sam Thaiday in the back row to cover for the loss of the injured Beau Scott.
The move might have those outside the Australian camp talking but Papalii said he can’t get too carried away with the hype.
‘‘I guess I’ve just got to do the same job I did coming off the bench,’’ he said.
‘‘Hopefully me and Woodsy [Aaron Woods] can get the team off to a good start and hopefully they can roll off the back of our work.’’
There has been a lot of talk surrounding Australia’s ‘‘inexperienced’’ pack throughout the tournament as the likes of Matt Scott and James Tamou sit out with injuries.
Papalii knows it’s up to him and his fellow enforcers to combat Samoa’s size.
‘‘I guess they [Samoa] do have the size but I guess we’ve got to be smarter with the way we play and hopefully come out with the win on Sunday,’’ he said.
‘‘Last time we did play England, who from 1-17 are pretty big.’’