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Papalii axed from Kangaroos squad

Published by
Ben Pahor

Josh Papalii has been axed from the Kangaroos squad for the upcoming Test against New Zealand.

Papalii was fined $1,000 and hit with an eight-month driving ban, after pleading guilty to a level three drink driving charge in court on Thursday.

"Given that Josh pleaded guilty to drink driving we believe it is inappropriate for him to join the Kangaroos camp," Mr Greenberg said.

"We would expect that the decision to stand him down from the Test will be taken into consideration when the Raiders Board considers the matter next week."

He will be replaced in the side by Raiders team mate Shannon Boyd, with Jake Trbojevic the new 18th man.

"Shannon was already included in the broader squad so it was an easy choice to bring him into the 17," Kangaroos' coach Mal Meninga said.

"He was excellent for us in last year's Four Nations and it will be great to see him able to play a Test match in front of his home fans."

However, Papalii will be free to play for the Raiders tomorrow afternoon against the Bulldogs.

The Canberra Times and the ABC reported earlier this week that Papalii in fact self-reported his drink driving, calling Police on two occasions after 2am on January 14 following Canberra captain Jarrod Croker’s engagement to alert authorities to a black car driving erratically in Gungahlin, in order to "make a point".

When Papalii was stopped by Police, he blew 0.123 over the limit and admitted it was him was made the calls.

He was named in Meninga's Kangaroos' squad to face the Kiwis on May 7 a mere 24 hours before facing court.
Published by
Ben Pahor