Canberra Raiders front-rower Josh Papali’i has revealed he didn’t want to move his family overseas when considering a new deal after calling time on his glittering NRL career. Papali’i announced his retirement from professional rugby league on Monday with Raiders fans set to pack out GIO Stadium this weekend to celebrate the club great’s career.
The 34-year-old will play his 341st game in the NRL this weekend when he runs out for the Green Machine on Friday against the Brisbane Broncos. This comes having played for Queensland, Australia and Samoa at the representative level.
Josh Papali’i has decided to retire instead of moving his family overseas. Image: Getty
Although there was speculation Papali’i would make the move to the Super League after the current season. The 34-year-old played a pivotal role in helping the Raiders to the 2025 minor premiership. Billy Slater even recalled Papali’i up for Queensland side in the State of Origin Game 3 decider.
His form suggested he could keep playing in the NRL or Super League if he wanted to sign one more deal. The front-rower also said he was thinking about the move to a Super League club.
Although the veteran said his decision came down to what was best for his family and said he didn’t want to move his family overseas. “I was pretty keen to head overseas as well, but it just wasn’t meant to be,” he said.
“I’ve got two other young sons at home … just taking them to England would be tough. I’m definitely holding back the tears right now. This club means a lot to me.”
Josh Papali’i (pictured) revealed he was tossing up a move to the Super League ahead of his retirement, but didn’t want to move his family. (Getty Images)
Josh Papali’i (pictured) admitted he didn’t want to move his family overseas after calling time on his NRL career. (Photo by Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images)
Josh Papali’i reveals retirement decision
However, Papali’i admitted he was ready to call time on his career ahead of the 2026 campaign when returning to pre-season. Although a chat with coach Ricky Stuart prompted him to give it one more go, despite changing his mind pretty quickly.
“I’m definitely ready. It’s been on my mind for a few weeks now, a few months actually, a lot of sleepless nights just thinking whether I could keep going or not,” Papali’i said alongside his two children at a Canberra Raiders press conference.
“Funny story. On day one of pre-season, before I even started, I went to (coach Ricky Stuart’s) office and said ‘I quit’. Then he told me to just hang on and do one session. I went and did that one session and came last in everything, and I was pretty sure from then on.”
Despite this, Papali’i has been in solid form in 2026. Papali’i has made 11 appearances for the Raiders this year with the club set to miss out on the Top 8. GIO Stadium will be renamed ‘Papa’s House’ on Friday night with a huge crowd expected for the veteran’s final home game of his career.