Josh Papalii’s chances of lining up for Canberra in Sunday’s qualifying final against Brisbane hang in the balance, with coach Ricky Stuart admitting the veteran prop will not be risked if he cannot prove his fitness.
Papalii managed just ten minutes of training in the lead-up to the finals and is nursing injury concerns.
Speaking on Saturday, Stuart stressed that both he and the player would walk away from selection if there was any doubt over his ability to contribute.
Stuart sets firm standard on selection
“He trained yesterday (Friday). He would need to train better today, though, to play, and I hope he does,” Stuart told The Daily Telegraph.
MORE: Cleary’s cheeky reply to Warriors fans - ‘I just worry about eggs, not Fish’
“He only did about 10 to 15 minutes of yesterday, so we’ve been training as though he won’t be playing all week. There’s no use in risking him and or playing where he’s going to be a liability, and Josh wouldn’t play anyhow, if he thought that. He said to me yesterday that he wouldn’t play if he was a liability.”
The Raiders have prepared a contingency plan, with Matty Nicholson expected to step in should Papalii be forced to withdraw.
At 32, Papalii’s presence remains a crucial anchor for Canberra’s pack, but Stuart’s message was clear: the team’s finals ambitions cannot be compromised by carrying an underdone player, no matter his stature.