Papalii' has played in nine Origin games, one more appearance than Josh McGuire, making him the most experienced man in the forward pack.

Papalii admitted it would be tough for them to cover the loss of so many high-profile players, but he said it simply meant this year's side needed to take over and prevent NSW from winning for just the second time since 2005.

The 26-year-old said Queensland "never had flashy players or the best team" but they always lifted for the Queensland jersey.

"It's going to be tough for any team to lose the big guns, but that's where we have to step up as young players and make it our time to shine and hopefully go on another dominant few years," Papalii said.

"But it starts with this game this week and hopefully we can start it on a good foot."

The Raiders are expected to name Papalii in their team on Tuesday for the clash against the Penrith Panthers at Canberra Stadium on Friday night.

Papalii has been on a form rollercoaster so far this year. He returned from playing for Samoa at the World Cup overweight and then Raiders coach Ricky Stuart dropped him to the NSW Cup following the Green Machine's round-four loss to Manly at Brookvale.

Loading

His NRL exile didn't last long. After starring in his one game for the Mounties, Papalii returned to the Raiders fold firstly off the bench and then at lock.

Over the past seven games, he's forced his way back into Origin contention.

"I've had a rough start to my season and I guess playing NSW Cup at the time I didn't think I was going to play Origin," Papalii said.

"The way our season was panning out I honestly didn't think about Origin at the time and as we do we start over-thinking stuff.

"I honestly didn't see myself making the Origin squad and now I'm just glad [Queensland coach Kevin Walters] had faith in me. I'm here now and ready to go."

While he's the most-experienced Queensland forward, Papalii's never really seen himself as a leader and was almost uncomfortable with the tag.

But he's definitely seen as one in Canberra and said he'd look to lead by his actions whenever Walters decides to unleash him against the Blues.

"I guess so [I'm a leader of the pack]. I don't really read too much into that kind of stuff and those kind of stats," Papalii said.

"I'll try to [lead with my actions]. We need to really step up as a forward pack and hopefully try and stay with the NSW forwards.

"We all know they've got a big pack and very agile for big men. We're going to have to be on our A-game."

He'll be coming up against his former teammate and soon-to-be Blues debutant Paul Vaughan.

Vaughan left the Raiders at the end of the 2016 season after 85 NRL games for the Green Machine and has become an important member of the St George Illawarra pack.

Like Papalii, he'll come off the bench for Blues on Wednesday and they'll face each for the first time on the Origin stage.

Loading

"That will be mad [to play against him]. We played against Canberra a couple of weeks ago," Vaughan said.

"Papa is a class player, he has been at the top of his game for a very long time.

"He has played numerous games for Queensland and Australia. He’s one of the best in his position so it’s going to be a good test."

STATE OF ORIGIN GAME ONE

Wednesday: Queensland Maroons v NSW Blues at the MCG, 8pm. TV time: Live on Channel Nine.

NRL ROUND 14

Friday: Canberra Raiders v Penrith Panthers at Canberra Stadium, 6pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.