Papalii’s Kangaroos spot in jeopardy following strange drink driving charge

Canberra's Josh Papalii has been fined $1,000 and hit with an eight-month driving ban, after pleading guilty to a level three drink driving charge.

However, bizarrely, it has been reported that Papalii in fact self-reported to Police.

The Canberra Times and the ABC have reported that Papalii called Police on two occasions after 2am on January 14 following Canberra captain Jarrod Croker’s engagement to alert authorities to a black car driving erratically in Gungahlin.

When Papalii was stopped by Police, he blew 0.123 over the limit and admitted it was him was made the calls.

The second rower is no stranger to run ins with the law. In 2014, he allegedly drove with a suspended licence and earlier in the year also was forced to apolgise to another motorist after he threw a bottle of moisturiser at him in an incident of road rage.

It is uncertain what punishment Papalii will incur, however, it certainly bad timing for the 24-year-old, who was named in the Kangaroos squad to face the Kiwis on May 7.

Raiders CEO Don Furner did confirm outside court on Thursday that the NRL will be involved a decision on a possible punishment.

“Josh is very remorseful for what happened today. We’re happy that the matter’s over and we’ll move on from here,” Furner said.

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg also confirmed talks had begun.

“We were aware that that was in court today and what I can tell you is there are some discussions happening right now between the NRL integrity unit and the Canberra Raiders and I’ll expect them to conclude those discussions pretty quickly,” Greenberg said.