The veteran prop has confirmed that **2025 will be his final season** wearing the green jersey. At 33, he’ll retire from NRL and likely continue his career in the Super League—St Helens is being speculated as his next destination. Papaliʻi will also break the Raiders’ all-time games record this season ([nit.com.au][1]).
**Why it matters**
Papaliʻi is a club legend—capped over 300 times and a key leader in the forward pack. His departure closes a heroic chapter for Canberra, which now must fill a massive void in experience and leadership upfront .
**Next steps for him**
He intends to play on in the Super League for another year or two after 2025, as he’s keen to continue his career overseas ([nit.com.au][1]).
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**Implications for Canberra**
* The Raiders are now in transition—losing a club icon like Papaliʻi signals the end of an era.
* Rugby operations will need to reinforce the forward pack and bolster leadership for 2026.
* This move could influence Canberra’s salary cap and recruitment priorities—most likely zeroing in on young, experienced forwards or an overseas replacement.
Would you like a breakdown of potential replacements or how this shift could shake up the Raiders’ 2026 rebuild?
