Injury Update: Papalii to miss remainder of 2023

Canberra Raiders prop Josh Papalii will miss the remainder of the 2023 season after suffering a Biceps injury.

Papalii will undergo surgery today on his Biceps Tendon and with an extended recovery time he will not be available again in 2023.

Jamal Fogarty trained with the squad this morning and will be named to play this weekend.

Canberra Raiders’ Matt Frawley explains why he can be a hit for Leeds Rhinos

Aussie stand-off, 28, is not a big name in the NRL but he returns for his second shot at Super League next season insisting he’s the right man to guide former champions back to the right end of the table

Aussie Matt Frawley says his previous experience in Super League will serve as a “massive advantage” when he joins Leeds from Canberra Raiders ahead of next season.

The half-back, 28, has signed a two-year deal starting in the 2024 campaign. He previously played for Huddersfield, making 22 appearances in 2019 after joining from Canterbury, but swiftly returned Down Under. Frawley, who helps offset the loss of former Canberra halves Aidan Sezer (Wests Tigers) and Blake Austin (Castleford) from Headingley, has only made 22 NRL appearances in the last four seasons.

Hopefully it sparks something': Canberra Raiders prop Josh Papalii looks to reignite NRL season | The Canberra Times | Canberra, ACT

But he is currently starting in the Raiders side that embarks on the play-offs this weekend and firmly believes he returns to the UK as a better player. Rohan Smith’s Rhinos look likely to miss out on the play-offs this term sitting eighth with three rounds to go. But Frawley – who could link-up with Richie Myler in the halves – said: “I am really excited to join Leeds and to have the opportunity to come over to the UK. I know I am joining a club that has big expectations for success and that is something that I am looking forward to being part of.

“I think the year I had in England when I was younger will be a massive advantage for me this time around as I know the country, the competition and what to expect and I want to pick up where I left off then. My fiance and I love the city of Leeds and can’t wait to make it our new home. From a personal point of view, the chance to call Headingley my home stadium was a big factor in deciding to join the club and I can’t wait to run out in front of the home fans. I am an experienced player now and an organising half and I know that is what Rohan is looking for, to get our team around the park.

“I know the club has a crop of exciting young players and I want to help those guys come through as well as my own goals for my time at the club. I am looking forward to working with Rohan and the coaches. I have only heard good things about Rohan from people who have worked with him previously and we have had lots of chats already about the direction he wants the club to go in and I am excited to be part of that journey.”

Smith reckons Frawley has all the right attributes to help Leeds return to being a side capable of challenging for silverware. He added: “Matt’s desire to come to the Super League competition really resonated with me. His game has matured and developed a lot over the last four years. He has worked with Jamal Fogarty and Jack Wighton at the Raiders which has helped his game improve. He is a very team-orientated player who likes to get his hands on the ball which is what we were looking for.