After the Eels' defeat of the Warriors on Friday night, Papali'i would not confirm he would be at the Tigers next season, but nor did he pledge his future to Parramatta.
"That's not my focus at the moment," he said.
"I want to make sure I put my best foot forward in this season that I have here by playing week to week and worrying about my job.
"Whatever happens, happens."
On Thursday, the Tigers dispelled the uncertainty around their rebuild by announcing premiership-winning coach Tim Sheens would resume head coaching duties from next season.
The two most-capped players in Wests Tigers history, Robbie Farah and Benji Marshall, will serve as his assistants, with the latter set to take the reins as head coach from 2025.
"That's great for the club," Papali'i said.
"Obviously everyone was wondering who the coach would be so knowing what their plan is going forward is good for the club. I'm happy for them."
Papali'i has built a relationship with Marshall through his international duties, just as he did with ex-Tigers coach Maguire.
"I've been in some camps with (Marshall) with the Kiwis," Papali'i said.
"He's a good mate ... but that's all I really have to say at the moment."
Tigers five-eighth Adam Doueihi urged Papali'i to honour his contract, saying the joint venture had plenty to offer.
"We're definitely a club on the rise," he said.
"We've made another really good signing in (dual premiership-winning hooker) Api Koroisau for next year. And with Tim, Benji and Robbie coming on board, it's only going to be good for us.
"If (Papali'i) comes, it's definitely going to be a big boost for us on the edge."
Replies
This is looking better by the day for Parramatta’s chances of retaining him. He could have easily denied the rumors but chose not to.
Absolutely Chief, his wording is very promising for us.
Have a mate who is a Wests fan and he jumped at me for mentioning the news early then on Wednesday for Origin he said all good he said he's staying
i saw one report and said that is not set in stone, nothing came of that it was rubbish. Papali'i actually discussing it and being apprehensive adds fuel to the fire, guess Wests fans just over the constant talk yet I cop it whenever Parra lose compared to everyone else in my group where there are 2 Wests fans, 1 Canterbury and 1 Canberra, go figure
Unlike Mahoney who says he is looking forward to Canterbury, Papa didn't do that, the professional would say I'm going all good even if they had cold feet, Papa though being who he is seems like his emotions he will not hide, he will talk professionally to a degree but that's it.
Papaili could have nipped it in the bud right then and there but he didn't.
By what saying he wants to stay? Nothing good comes out of that
I think the way he said it shows he wants to stay but in a professional way, you don't want the spotlight on us too much leading into semis
let it play out behind closed doors
From the way he is going about it I think he is adament on his decision, he knows the only way out is Wests letting him out, why not act like you just don't want to be there.
Wests have all the leverage, they have the contract signed by him that he must honour unless the club who it is signed for says otherwise.
Wests should be thinking soon do we want him if his heart isn't in it?
Sheens is not a attraction either, he is not the future, otherwise a bridge to Benji who I am not even sure what type of coach he will be but I can assure you Papa would have preferred Ciraldo to Benji at Wests
He will have the two years with Sheens who is building it up and Benji in year one is trial and error in Papa's 3rd and final year, what a waste of three years
At least with Reed he has 4 years and Gus still behind the scenes and other additions that might make them competitive
Bulldogs will be in the 8 in 2024 maybe 2023
Wests won't make it either way
We're a team on the rise Doueihi said. Well I suppose that's only way to go when on the bottom.
Id say he definitely doesn't want to go but it'll depend on a few variables as to whether he can feasibly back out
Only way is for Wests to rip up the contract, that's it, the NRL and Players Association cannot do anything.
Wests will be put through the thought of does he want to come and do we want him not at 100% in his heart.
Parramatta I believe would be working out ways around it as we speak
What is it with this surname and not honoured contracts ? First that goose in Canberra fucking us around , and now this bloke.
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