Broncos saved by last-minute tackle in emotional Papalii farewell
The Broncos and Raiders have engaged in another classic, with the latter unable to send out Josh Papali’i as a winner.
The Friday night match was the champion prop’s last in Canberra after announcing his retirement.
Josh Papalii takes a run against Canberra in his final home NRL game. Getty Images
Raiders players were emotional post-match after the Broncos finished 34-30 winners, with Joseph Tapine holding back tears in an interview.
“I wanted the result for him so bad, he’s a good mate of mine. We’ll celebrate his career after this and have a few beers and reflect on his career,” he said on Fox League.
“He’s more than a teammate to me, and I’ll miss him next year.”
Payne Haas made clear when interviewed he wanted all TV time to be about Papali’i and wouldn’t answer further questions on the game.
“I looked up to Paps growing up through school, I know he means a lot to myself but also Polynesian boys, especially us Samoan kids in the forwards. We inspired to be like Paps and he’s one of the greatest forwards to play the game,” he said.
“Being part of this night is a huge honour and a privilege and I’m blessed to be able to call him a friend and very grateful to play in this game.”
Papali’i himself admitted it had been an emotional week.
“I think the walk out got to me, I couldn’t even breathe walking out with my kids, family, wife and parents in the tunnel and all the people I love that have been in my corner for so many years, they’re the cornerstone of my career,” he said.
“They’re the people I fall back on when times are tough and I appreciate all the love Canberra has given me and hopefully I’ve served this club well.”
The round 25 match was the first time these sides had played each other since the semi-final classic last year, on the Broncos’ path to premiership glory.
This match was similar, with the Broncos down 30-16 in the 60th minute. Haas, Grant Anderson and Hayze Perham then all scored to put their side into the lead.
In the final minute, Josiah Karapani had the ball stripped inside his own end and coughed up possession.
The next tackle, the Raiders spread the ball to the right before Karapani put in a diving tackle to bundle Xavier Savage into touch and save the game.
Xavier Savage is taken into touch by Josiah Karapani. Fox League
Brisbane scored first through Billy Walters but the Raiders hit back twice. Broncos captain Patrick Carrigan was then sin-binned for a high shot but Ezra Mam levelled the game, despite Brisbane being a man down.
Anderson scored next but the conversion was missed which led to the Raiders leading 18-16 at half-time when Kaeo Weekes scored on the siren.
Tries to Owen Pattie and Zac Hosking put the Raiders up 30-16 before the comeback followed and the Broncos mirrored their 29-28 win from last season.
Ben Hunt turned the clock back with his performance, contributing two try assists in the No.7 jersey.
“He was great, he had a hand in a few of our tries, that No.7 jersey can be tough in Brisbane at times but he’s had a lot of experience there and a lot of experience in the game,” Carrigan said of Hunt post-match.
