![Queensland great Josh Papali'i has retired from Origin. Picture by Karleen Minney Queensland great Josh Papali'i has retired from Origin. Picture by Karleen Minney](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/reqbnGrLXyZFax2TwSi3Na/86d9d181-1708-4054-816b-08a443b4e8be.jpg/r0_151_5211_3081_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Josh Papali'i's State of Origin retirement could open the door for Canberra Raiders teammate Corey Horsburgh to make his debut.
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Papali'i has called time on his Origin career - a career that will see him remembered as one of Queensland's greatest ever props.
The Canberra Raiders great informed Maroons coach Billy Slater of his decision earlier this week and made the announcement he wouldn't run out for his state again on Thursday - just days before Slater will name his team for game one.
While his retirement is a blow for the Queenslanders, it's a boost for the Green Machine during the upcoming Origin period - which starts in Adelaide Wednesday week.
But it could also prove a boost for Horsburgh, who was already being touted as an Origin option for Slater following his impressive start to the season.
Horsburgh played down his chances of making the team, given the Maroons' propensity to pick and stick.
But with Papali'i opting to step aside that opened the door for Horsburgh to step through and try to replace the Raiders enforcer.
Former Queensland coach Mal Meninga backed the Maroons' depth in the middle forwards, but said Horsburgh was an obvious option to come in.
"It is a loss in experience. He's playing really good footy at the moment too for the mighty Raiders, five wins in a row, and he's been leading the charge," Meninga said on SEN.
"It's an interesting retirement ... but he feels it's time for him to hang up the State of Origin boots and concentrate on the Raiders, which is great news for the Raiders.
![Papali'i's retirement could open the Origin door for Corey Horsburgh. Picture by Keegan Carroll Papali'i's retirement could open the Origin door for Corey Horsburgh. Picture by Keegan Carroll](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/reqbnGrLXyZFax2TwSi3Na/a1fc4bff-73e4-4b82-8561-f86619e5504f.jpg/r0_38_5706_3259_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"There's so much talent coming through and even his teammate Corey Horsburgh comes right into the picture.
"It will be very interesting to see who Billy picks."
Papali'i played 23 Origins for the Maroons, making his debut in game two in 2013 to become part of Queensland's eight-year reign over NSW.
He went on to be part of six series wins and became a mainstay of the Maroons' starting front row.
But the loveable enforcer has followed in the footsteps of good mate and Raiders teammate Jack Wighton - who pulled the pin on representative football a month ago.
Both Wighton and Papali'i will now be available for Canberra during the three-game series, as the Green Machine looked for its sixth straight win when they take on Manly at Canberra Stadium on Sunday.
This year's Origin teams will be named on Monday.
Horsburgh and fellow Raider Hudson Young were both in the mix to be named for Queensland and the Blues respectively.
Papali'i made the call so he wouldn't stand in the way of the next generation of Queenslanders.
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"I've loved every minute of my time playing for Queensland and representing the state and I have memories from my time in maroon I will never forget," Papali'i said.
"For me, it's about giving the next generation of Queensland players the chance to represent and it also allows me to concentrate on my football for the Raiders during the middle part of the season.
"I want to thank all of the coaches over the years that have given me the opportunity to play for Queensland and all of the players who I have taken the field with."
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart was full of praise for his big bopper.
He pointed to the fact Papali'i was going out as one of the best props in the game as testament to his character.
Stuart said he would go down as one of "Origin's greatest players".
"Josh's decision to retire from State of Origin showcases Josh's character and his selflessness for his state," Stuart said.
"Playing one State of Origin match is a huge achievement, but to play over 20 Origin matches over a decade makes Josh one of the most experienced and decorated players in Origin history.
"His efforts for Queensland playing in the toughest arena in the toughest position will forever be remembered and Josh will go down as one of Origin's greatest players.
"The fact that he's made this decision at a period of his career where he would still be able to compete at this level is testament to Josh's character and humility, and I think it highlights just how much Origin has meant to him over his career."
NRL ROUND 12
Sunday: Canberra Raiders v Manly Sea Eagles at Canberra Stadium, 4.05pm.
Raiders squad: 1. Sebastian Kris, 2. Albert Hopoate, 3. Jarrod Croker (C), 4. Matt Timoko, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Jamal Fogarty, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Tom Starling, 10. Joe Tapine, 11. Hudson Young, 12. Elliott Whitehead (C), 13. Corey Horsburgh. Interchange: 14. Danny Levi, 15. Emre Guler, 16. Pasami Saulo, 17. Ata Mariota. Reserves: 18. James Schiller, 19. Hohepa Puru, 20. Brad Schneider, 21. Corey Harawira-Naera, 22. Nick Cotric.
Sea Eagles squad: 1. Tom Trbojevic, 2. Jason Saab, 3. Brad Parker, 4. Tolutau Koula, 5. Reuben Garrick, 6. Josh Schuster, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c), 8. Taniela Paseka, 9. Lachlan Croker, 10. Sean Keppie, 11. Haumole Olakau'atu, 12. Ben Trbojevic, 13. Jake Trbojevic. Interchange: 14. Karl Lawton, 15. Samuela Fainu, 16. Ethan Bullemor, 17. Ben Condon. Reserves: 18. Kaeo Weekes, 19. Morgan Harper, 20. Cooper Johns, 21. Morgan Boyle, 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong.
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