'Just worried about the baby at home': Josh Papali'i son melts hearts with teary interview
The young son of Josh Papali'i melted hearts with a teary TV interview after watching his dad win the State of Origin decider with Queensland on Wednesday night.
It capped a whirlwind fortnight for the family, after Josh's wife Mesepa gave birth to another son on the same weekend the 33-year-old Raiders prop got a call from Maroons coach Billy Slater.
Papali'i retired from the Origin arena following the 2022 series, but his former teammate issued an SOS to the front-rower as Queensland strived to upset the Blues in Sydney.
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Papali'i initially missed four phone calls from Slater as Mesepa was in labour.
"I was happily retired," he said after Wednesday night's 24-12 victory.
"I obviously missed the first couple of calls from Bill, due to my son being in hospital, and the wife as well, a few complications with the birth.
Josh Papali'i and his son Noah speak to Nine's Emma Lawrence following Origin III. Nine
"I said I wasn't going to come back, but when I saw Bill's number pop up I said yes.
"I knew the value and what I could bring to this footy team, the calmness, just being that calm head amongst the group, I thought I could bring that."
With his new baby arriving safely, Papali'i flew into Queensland camp and set about preparing for the game.
His older son Noah was able to leave his mother's side and make it to Sydney to watch his dad suit up for the Maroons - likely for the last time, given Papali'i is heading to the Super League next year.
Re-live the 2025 State of Origin series exclusively live and free on Nine and 9Now.
Josh Papalii and Cameron Munster lift the State of Origin shield. Darrian Traynor via Getty Images
After the game Nine reporter Emma Lawrence was interviewing Papali'i when Noah appeared by his side.
She asked if he was proud of his father, and what the youngster said next melted hearts.
"Just worried about the baby at home, so my dad could see him and hug him," Noah said while wiping his eyes.
Papali'i was later asked what Noah meant by that.
"I don't know," he laughed while sitting alongside Slater and Maroons captain Cameron Munster.
"After my son was born I came into camp, it's more getting back home and spending time with the other kids.
"It means a lot (having Noah here), he is old enough to understand who Dad is playing for, what Dad is doing these days.
"I'm super grateful for those moments. When the 80 minutes was all done I thought about that phone call Billy gave me, and straight away I had tears in my eyes.
"There were doubts in my mind whether I still had it, whether it was the right move to come back.
"I'm so glad I picked the phone up and said yes."
Slater could not speak highly enough of the veteran prop following the game.
"At 33 years old the big fella has done his duty for Queensland, and to come back and perform like that is incredible," Slater said.
"That story will be told as a legacy for many years to come.
"The first three days of camp Papa didn't come in. His wife had a baby boy the week before and there were a few complications, the big fella slept in a hospital chair for a couple of nights.
"His priority was being a dad and making sure his family were OK. He came in on the Wednesday and he just had that real calm influence over the team.
"He didn't say a lot but he didn't have to, he just has that aura about him.
"I'm so appreciative what he's done for this footy team."
Papali'i will now return to his wife and baby, as well as the Raiders who sit atop the NRL ladder.
