Three weeks after relegating Josh Papalii to reserve grade, Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has talked up the hulking forward's Queensland State of Origin claims.
Off contract Papalii's future appeared uncertain when he was dropped to NSW Cup for Canberra's round five clash with Canterbury after the Raiders' winless season start.
However, Papalii appears back to his barnstorming best after helping inspire Canberra's drought-breaking 18-8 NRL win over North Queensland in Townsville on Saturday.
Stuart said Papalii had come back from his mini-exile - returning via the bench in round six - a different man.
"There are reasons why I dropped Josh. We sat down and spoke about that but that's in the past now," Stuart said.
"He has three very good games under his belt now and we've had two wins out of the three.
"I am happy for Josh because he is a big part of our team and we need Josh playing well."
Papalii has played nine Origins for Queensland but was overlooked for the last two games of the 2017 series.
Stuart pushed Papalii's Origin cause when asked if the Raiders lock was back to top form.
"I know his Origin coach Kevin (Walters) was there (watching Raiders' win over North Queensland)," Stuart said.
"And I am sure Kevin would have been very happy with that performance after that 80 minutes."
Papalii racked up 80m, 35 tackles and scored a trademark bullocking try in the round eight win, carrying three defenders including Cowboys giant Jason Taumalolo over the line in the 26th minute.
The Raiders (11th; 3-5 record) went on to secure their first win in Townsville in 12 years and their third victory in four games.
Papalii's resurgence might have come at the perfect time for Walters.
The Maroons mentor is looking at a new-look pack with Josh McGuire (ankle) set to join Brisbane teammate Matt Gillett (neck) and Melbourne's Tim Glasby (broken thumb) on the sidelines for June 6's Origin opener in Melbourne.
