sport, nrl

Ricky Stuart says Josh Papalii has found another level that has taken him from reserve grade to being the most experienced member of the Queensland Maroons pack inside two months. The Canberra Raiders back-rower has been named in Kevin Walter's revamped Queensland squad to face the NSW Blues in the State of Origin series opener at the MCG on June 6. He will come face to face with former teammate and Canberra junior Paul Vaughan, who is set to make his NSW debut after a standout season with the St. George Illawarra Dragons. Vaughan joins extended squad member and Raiders youngster Nick Cotric as one of many new faces in Brad Fittler's Blues side which will enter the series as favourites against a Maroons outfit sans Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston. Papalii is set to rack up his 10th Queensland cap from the bench, allaying fears the Green Machine's indifferent start to the season would put a line through the 26-year-old's name. With nine appearances already to his name Papalii will become the most experienced member of a Queensland pack missing Smith and Matt Scott. Raiders coach Stuart axed Papalii to reserve grade in April as the Samoan international paid the price for a poor start to the year, but the Canberra mentor says the wake-up call has made him find another level. "For Papa at a young age, it was something I spoke to Josh about [on Sunday], he goes into this squad now and he goes into this camp with different responsibilities," Stuart said. "Because he is now more of a senior person, he knows Origin, he has played Origin, he hopefully can take his game to another level in regards to seniority. "Since he has moved into the middle of the field he has really taken some great ownership and accountability in his game and he has played some big minutes, and played some really good quality football. "He has [found another level]. He has really taken to it too, he has taken to the change of game and change of position with the way he is contributing to the team, he is enjoying his time there." Papalii admits his demotion to reserve grade earlier this year was the right call and he has since rediscovered the spark in his career as he edges towards a contract extension with the Raiders. Only lock forward Josh McGuire's eight caps comes close to Papalii's nine appearances, with starting props Jarrod Wallace (two caps) and Dylan Napa (three), back-rower Gavin Cooper (three), bench forward Coen Hess (two) the only others to have played for the Maroons. Hooker Andrew McCullough, second-rower Felise Kaufusi and bench forward Jai Arrow are all in line to make their State of Origin debuts. The Queensland backline boasts more experience and is headlined by new captain Greg Inglis (30 caps), Billy Slater (29), bench utility Michael Morgan (eight), Will Chambers (seven) and Dane Gagai (seven). They are joined by Valentine Holmes (two), halfback Ben Hunt (one) and five-eighth Cameron Munster (one). Papalii is expected to play a key role in Queensland's middle rotation but Stuart says he offers much-needed utility value with his ability to shift to an edge. "I keep in contact with Kevin and Brad and it’s always good to know what they’re thinking and if you can get some feedback and help your players that are in contention," Stuart said. "Kevin has been really happy with how Papa has been playing. I was always confident with the form he has shown that he was going to be picked for Queensland this year again. His form definitely warrants his selection." Queensland squad: 1. Billy Slater, 2. Valentine Holmes, 3. Greg Inglis (c), 4. Will Chambers, 5. Dane Gagai, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Ben Hunt, 8. Dylan Napa, 9. Andrew McCullough, 10. Jarrod Wallace, 11. Gavin Cooper, 12. Felise Kaufusi, 13. Josh McGuire. Interchange: 14. Michael Morgan, 15. Josh Papalii, 16. Coen Hess, 17. Jai Arrow.

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