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Josh Papali'i

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Josh Papali'i (born 13 May 1992) is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a prop for the Canberra Raiders in the National Rugby League (NRL). He has played for both Australia and Samoa at international level.

Josh Papali'i
Personal information
Full nameJoshua Papali'i
Born (1992-05-13) 13 May 1992 (age 32)
Auckland, New Zealand
Height183 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight119 kg (18 st 10 lb)
Playing information
PositionProp
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2011– Canberra Raiders 305 64 0 0 256
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2013–22 Queensland 23 3 0 0 12
2013–14 Prime Minister's XIII 2 1 0 0 4
2013–19 Australia 11 3 0 0 12
2017–22 Samoa 10 0 0 0 0
Source: [1]
As of 7 September 2024

He has also played at representative level for the Prime Minister's XIII and Queensland in the State of Origin series.

Background

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Papali'i was born in Auckland, New Zealand, and is of Cook Island and Samoan heritage.[2] He moved to Australia at the age of 5 and was raised in Woodridge, Queensland.[3]

He played his junior rugby league for Logan Brothers before being signed by the Canberra Raiders.

Papali'i played 20 matches for Raiders National Youth Competition side between 2010 and 2011. In 2010 Papalii represented the Queensland under 18 side and was selected in the Junior Kiwis' training squad, although he did not make the final side.[4][5][6]

Playing career

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Papalii playing for the Raiders in 2012

2011

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In Round 10, Papali'i made his NRL debut for the Canberra Raiders against the Melbourne Storm off the interchange bench in the Raiders 20–12 win at AAMI Park.[7] In Round 14 against the Brisbane Broncos, Papali'i showed a promising performance in his young first grade career scoring two tries back to back to help lead a Raiders comeback, coming from 24–0 down to level the game 24–24, before losing in extra time 25–24 at Suncorp Stadium.[8] Papali'i finished his debut year in the NRL with him playing in 14 matches and scoring 3 tries.

In October 2011, Papali'i was selected for the Junior Kiwis.[9][10]

2012

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In September, Papalii pledged his representative allegiance to Queensland and Australia.[11][12]

Papalii finished the 2012 NRL season with him playing in all the Raiders 26 matches and scoring 7 tries. In December 2012, Papalii was named in Queensland's Emerging Origin Squad.[13][14]

 
Papalii playing for the Prime Minister's XIII in 2013

2013

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On 23 February 2013, the Parramatta Eels signed Papalii on a three-year deal from the start of 2014,[15] but later, on 8 March 2013, Papalii pulled out the Eels contract and re-signed a further 3 years with the Raiders to 2016 to remain close to family and friends.[16] Papalii first gained selection for the Maroons for Game 2 of the 2013 State of Origin series, playing off the interchange bench in the Maroons 26–6 win at Suncorp Stadium.[17][18] Papalii continued into Game 3, helping Queensland extend their record for consecutive series victories to eight. On 31 August 2013, Papalii and fellow Canberra Raiders team-mate Anthony Milford were fined by the club for an alleged drinking incident two days before the Raiders 50–16 loss to the New Zealand Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium in Round 25.[19] Papalii finished the 2013 NRL season with him playing in 21 NRL matches and scoring 3 tries for the Raiders.

On 29 September 2013, Papalii played for Prime Minister's XIII, starting at second-row and scoring a try in the 50–10 win in Kokopo.[20]

Papalii earned selection in the Australia 24-man squad for the 2013 World Cup, playing in 4 matches and scoring 2 tries. Papalii made his international debut for Australia against Fiji, starting at second-row and scoring a try in the 34–2 win at Langtree Park.[21] Papalii played off the interchange bench in Australia's 34–2 World Cup Final victory over New Zealand at Old Trafford.[22] On 18 October 2013, Papalii was robbed by 2 men at a Manchester nightclub ATM and had around £200 (about $385 in Australian Dollars) stolen from him.[23]

2014

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Papalii was selected for the Queensland Maroons team for Game 1 in the 100th State of Origin match at Suncorp Stadium off the interchange bench in the Maroons 12–8 loss.[24] On 12 June, Papalii was involved in a road rage incident after he threw a one-litre bottle of moisturising cream at another motorist, who subsequently insisted on a public apology. The NRL club agreed to pay for the damage caused to the car of University of Canberra staff member Michael Tutalo, but said his lengthy list of demands, which included a face-to-face apology in front of the Canberra Times building in Fyshwick, were too much. The pair became involved in a heated exchange after Papalii allegedly cut off Mr Tutalo as he drove along Belconnen Way in Bruce.[25] Papalii finished the 2014 NRL season with him playing in 19 matches and scoring 3 tries for the Raiders.

On 12 October 2014, Papalii played for Prime Minister's XIII, starting at prop in the 34–16 win in Kokopo.[26]

On 14 October 2014, Papalii was selected for Australia in their 2014 Four Nations 24-man squad.[27] Papalii played in 4 matches and scored a try in tournament. Papalii played off the interchange bench and scored a try in the Kangaroos 22–18 Four Nations final loss over New Zealand at Westpac Stadium.[28]

2015

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In July 2015, Papalii earned a recall to the Queensland squad for the Game 3 decider against New South Wales. He played off the interchange bench and scored a try in the record 52–6 win at Suncorp Stadium.[29][30] In Round 22 against the Wests Tigers, Papalii played his 100th NRL game in the Raiders 20–18 loss at Canberra Stadium.[31][32] He finished off 2015 having played in all the Raiders' 24 games and scored 8 tries.

On 8 September, Papalii was named the 2015 Prime Minister's XIII train-on squad but was later ruled out due to injury.[33][34]

On 20 November, he re-signed with the Raiders on a 3-year contract to the end of the 2018 season.[35][36]

2016

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On 6 May 2016, Papalii played for Australia against New Zealand, starting at second-row in the 16–0 win at Hunter Stadium.[37][38]

 
Papalii playing for the Raiders in 2019

For the 2016 State of Origin series, Papalii played in Game 1 and Game 2 off the interchange bench for the Maroons in their 2–1 series win.[39] Papalii finished the 2017 NRL season with him playing in 25 matches and scoring 7 tries for the Raiders. On 19 September 2017, Papalii and Raiders hooker Josh Hodgson were named as the dual winners of the Raiders 2016 Player of the Year Mal Meninga Medal.[40] On 4 October 2016, Papalii was selected in the Kangaroos 2016 Four Nations 24-man squad.[41] Later on, 13 October 2016, Papalii withdrew himself from the squad due an ankle injury and was replaced by Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles player Jake Trbojevic.[42]

2017

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On 27 April 2017, Papalii was stood down by the Raiders for 1 match and the Kangaroos for the 2017 ANZAC Test after he was convicted of drink-driving after he bizarrely called triple 000 twice to report himself driving erratically in the early hours of 15 January 2017. The court heard Papalii was sprung after police received an anonymous triple-0 call to report a black Jeep driving on the wrong side of the road in Gungahlin about 2.15am and police got a second call to say the same car had pulled over near Hungry Jacks about 20 minutes later, officers approached the vehicle on a bike path on Gundaroo Drive soon after and asked Papalii, who was in the driver's seat, to get out of the car. They noticed he had bloodshot, watery eyes, his speech was slurred and he had the hiccups. Papalii was taken to the sobering up shelter. Police later discovered the emergency calls had been made from Papalii's phone. They said he told them he'd made the triple zero calls "to make a point". Papalii had a blood-alcohol reading of 0.123 just hours after he left the engagement party of Raiders captain Jarrod Croker.[43][44]

Despite being dumped from the Kangaroos, Papalii would later feature in all 3 matches for Queensland in the 2017 State of Origin series where they won the series 2–1.[45][46] Papalii finished the 2017 NRL season with him playing in 20 matches and scoring 5 tries for the Raiders.

On 6 October 2017, after missing selection for the Kangaroos for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, Papalii was selected in the 24-man squad for Samoa to honour his grandfather who died while he was in camp with the Prime Minister's XIII squad, which he pulled out of the match to spend time with family.[47][48]

 
Papali'i playing for Samoa in 2022

Papalii would play and start at second-row in all 4 matches for Samoa in their disappointing campaign.[49][50]

2018

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In Round 1 against the Gold Coast Titans, Papalii played his 150th NRL career match in the 30–28 loss at Robina Stadium.[51] On 3 April 2018, Papalii was dropped to reserve grade by coach Ricky Stuart along with fellow Canberra player Blake Austin after a tough opening month to the competition where Canberra lost their opening 4 games. In April 2018 he was caught bagging out the current coach Ricky Stuart "worst coach ever". On 31 May 2018, Papalii spoke to the media about his shock axing to reserve grade saying "Our team wasn't going too well at the time and I knew someone had to go back. Sticky thought it should be me. I copped it on the chin, found some form and I'm happy that I've come back and played some decent footy.[52][53] On 15 June 2018, Papalii extended his contract with the Raiders on a 4-year deal until the end of 2022.[54] Papalii was again selected for the Queensland Maroons for the 2018 State of Origin series, playing in all 3 matches in the Maroons 2–1 series loss.[55] Papalii finished the 2018 NRL season with him playing in 22 matches and scoring 5 tries for the Raiders. On 11 September 2018, Papalii was received the Mal Meninga Medal for being the Raiders Best Player of the Year.[56]

2019

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Papalii was selected to play for Queensland in the 2019 State of Origin series which New South Wales won 2–1. Papalii featured in all 3 matches. In Round 22 of the 2019 NRL season against Melbourne, Papalii scored the winning try as Canberra came from 18–0 down to win 22–18 at AAMI Park. It was also the first time since 2015 that Melbourne had lost 2 games in a row at their home stadium.[57][58][59]

In the preliminary final against South Sydney, Papalii scored the winning try as Canberra reached their first grand final in 25 years after defeating Souths 16–10 at Canberra Stadium.[60]

Papalii played at prop for Canberra in the 2019 NRL Grand Final as they were defeated 14–8 by the Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium.[61][62][63]

 
Papali'i warming up for Samoa in 2022

On 7 October, Papalii was named in the Australian side for the upcoming Oceania Cup fixtures.

2020

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Papalii had another outstanding season in 2020 for Canberra and was rewarded with his fourth Meninga Medal, this time sharing the award with Jack Wighton as they finished atop the voting for the club's player of the year. He played a total of 22 games and featured in all three of the club's finals matches as the club reached the preliminary final but were defeated by Melbourne.[64][65]

2021

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In round 10 of the 2021 NRL season, he was sent off for an illegal shoulder charge during Canberra's 20–18 victory over Canterbury-Bankstown.[66] He made a total of 20 appearances in the 2021 NRL season for Canberra which saw the club finish in 10th place on the table.[67][68]

2022

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Papali'i played a total of 25 matches for Canberra in the 2022 NRL season as the club finished 8th on the table and qualified for the finals. Papali'i played in both finals matches as Canberra were eliminated in the second week by Parramatta.[69]

In October Papali'i was named in the Samoa squad for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.[70]

2023

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Papali'i played a total of 18 matches for Canberra in the 2023 NRL season as the club finished 8th on the table and qualified for the finals.[71]

2024

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In round 22 of the 2024 NRL season, Papali'i played in his 300th NRL match in Canberra's narrow loss to Canterbury at Belmore Sports Ground.[72][73]

In the early hours of 16 September 2024, Papali'i and a friend were allegedly behaving aggressively, smashing glasses, and refusing to leave Canberra Raiders Leagues Club. Police and the NRL Integrity Unit investigated the incident.[74] He played 23 matches for Canberra in the 2024 NRL season as the club finished 9th on the table.[75]

Statistics

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Year Team Games Tries Pts
2011   Canberra Raiders 14 3 12
2012 26 7 28
2013 21 3 12
2014 19 3 12
2015 24 8 32
2016 25 7 28
2017 20 5 20
2018 22 5 20
2019 26 6 24
2020 22 5 20
2021 20 4 16
2022 25 4 16
2023 18 2 8
2024 23 2 8
Totals 305 64 256

Personal life

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Earlier in his career Papali'i contemplated becoming a priest and is now reportedly a "committed Christian".[76] In 2013, Papalii was a youth leader at his Christian church in Canberra conducting weekly bible studies.[77] In 2020, he refused the NRL's mandatory covid vaccination based on a claim that his refusal was due to his religious beliefs.[76]

References

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  1. ^ Ferguson, Shawn Dollin and Andrew. "Josh Papalii – Career Stats & Summary – Rugby League Project". Rugby League Project.
  2. ^ "Ex-Kangaroos rep Papalii to play for Samoa at World Cup". Samoa Observer. 6 October 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  3. ^ "Three Samoans Named in NRL's 'Team of the Year'". Samoa Global News. 21 October 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  4. ^ Qld Rugby League (29 May 2010). "Tyres & More Queensland U18 Team". rleague.com. Archived from the original on 26 October 2012.
  5. ^ O'Neill, Matthew (24 September 2010). "NRL experience shows through in Junior Kiwis train-on squad". rleague.com. Archived from the original on 26 October 2012.
  6. ^ "Nine NYC-winning Warriors named in Jnr Kiwis". National Rugby League. Archived from the original on 30 January 2016. Retrieved 6 October 2010.
  7. ^ "Melbourne Storm Host Canberra in Round 10". Australia: Fox Sports. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  8. ^ "Peter Wallace Kicks Decisive Field Goal as Brisbane Edge Out Fast Finishing Canberra 25-24". Australia: Fox Sports. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  9. ^ "JUNIOR KIWIS FIELDING HUGE LINE-UP". NZRL. 16 October 2011. Archived from the original on 4 April 2015.
  10. ^ "Junior Kiwis dominated by NYC Grand Finalists". Archived from the original on 7 October 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2011. rleague.com, 5 October 2011
  11. ^ "Josh Papilii Set to Become the Latest Kiwi to Pledge Allegiance to Queendsland". Australia: Fox Sports. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  12. ^ "Papalii picks Maroons over Kiwis". Wwos.ninemsn.com.au. Archived from the original on 22 November 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  13. ^ "Josh Papalii in Maroons Emerging State of Origin Squad – Herald Sun". The Australian Hub. Archived from the original on 16 June 2013.
  14. ^ Lee Gaskin. "Maroons have plans for adopted son Papalii". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  15. ^ Lee Gaskin. "Eels get in early to sign Raider Papalii". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  16. ^ "Josh Papilii's Decision to Turn Down Paramatta Eels and Stay with Canberra Raiders". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  17. ^ "State of Origin II as it happened". Wwos.ninemsn.com.au. Archived from the original on 22 November 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  18. ^ "Josh Papalii turns up heat on Ashley Harrison for Queensland selection in State of Origin II". News.com.au. 17 June 2013. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  19. ^ "Canberra Stars Booze Before Key Game". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  20. ^ "Chaotic day of extremes as Prime Minister's XIII overpower for Papua New Guinea 50-10 | news.com.au".
  21. ^ "Australia v Fiji player ratings – NRL".
  22. ^ Fletcher, Paul (30 November 2013). "Rugby League World Cup 2013: New Zealand 2-34 Australia". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 1 August 2020.
  23. ^ "Kangaroos World Cup Player Robbed at Manchester Nightclub". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  24. ^ "State of Origin New South Wales Blues Beat Queensland". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  25. ^ Megan Gorrey and Lee Gaskin. "Canberra Raiders in row with driver over alleged Josh Papalii road rage incident". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  26. ^ "PM's XIII defeat valiant PNG – NRL".
  27. ^ "Holden Kangaroos 2014 Four Nations squad". National Rugby League. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  28. ^ Hafez, Shamoon (15 November 2014). "Four Nations: New Zealand 22-18 Australia". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 1 August 2020.
  29. ^ Jon Tuxworth (29 June 2015). "Josh Papalii recalled to Queensland Origin team: Scott Sattler urges him to target David Klemmer". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  30. ^ "NSW Blues v Queensland Live". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  31. ^ "Canberra's Blake Austin, Josh Papilii, Jack Wighton and Shannon Boyd Set for Pay Day". Australia: Fox Sports. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  32. ^ "David Shillington Sent Off in His 200th Game". Australia: Fox Sports. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  33. ^ "Prime Minister's XIII train-on squad". National Rugby League. 8 September 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  34. ^ Lee Gaskin (13 September 2015). "Kangaroos forward Josh Papalii one of four Raiders players ruled out of PM's XIII squad". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  35. ^ Jon Tuxworth (13 February 2013). "Canberra Raiders re-sign Josh Papalii until end of 2018 NRL season". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  36. ^ "Raiders Pre-Season Signing Spree Continues as Origin Forward Josh Papalii Extends His Deal". Australia: Fox Sports. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  37. ^ "Reference at www.couriermail.com.au".
  38. ^ Elsom, Dan (6 May 2016). "Thurston fumes: 'It's not good for the game'". News.com.au.
  39. ^ "Origin: Raiders come first but Josh Papalii primed for more Origin glory". 22 May 2016.
  40. ^ "Canberra Raiders duo Josh Hodgson and Josh Papalii tie for Mal Meninga medal". 19 September 2016.
  41. ^ "2016 Kangaroos Four Nations squad". 4 October 2016.
  42. ^ "Trbojevic replaces Papalii for Kangaroos". 12 October 2016.
  43. ^ "Canberra Raiders NRL star Josh Papalii reported own drink driving to police". 27 April 2017.
  44. ^ "Reference at www.dailytelegraph.com.au".
  45. ^ "State of Origin 2017: Canberra Raiders star Josh Papalii to take on a big role". 12 June 2017.
  46. ^ "Reference at www.dailytelegraph.com.au".
  47. ^ "Reference at www.canberratimes.com.au".
  48. ^ "Canberra Raiders Josh Papalii, Joey Leilua and Junior Paulo to play for Samoa". 6 October 2017.
  49. ^ "RLWC 2017: Josh Papalii hurt by Kangaroos World Cup omission". 15 November 2017.
  50. ^ "Reference at www.dailytelegraph.com.au".
  51. ^ "Reference at www.couriermail.com.au".
  52. ^ "NRL: Canberra Raiders star Josh Papalii dropped but Jack Wighton holds his place". 3 April 2018.
  53. ^ "I needed to be dropped, admits Papalii". 31 May 2018.
  54. ^ "Family big factor in Papalii re-signing at Raiders". 15 June 2018.
  55. ^ "Reference at www.couriermail.com.au".
  56. ^ "Meninga Medal win a turning point for Papalii". 12 September 2018.
  57. ^ "Incredible Raiders comeback stuns Storm in Melbourne". National Rugby League. 17 August 2019.
  58. ^ Johnson, Paul (10 July 2019). "Emotional Blues legend Wayne Pearce opens up on his son Mitchell's battle". News.com.au.
  59. ^ "Trbojevic and Addo-Carr lead origin try spree". The Sydney Morning Herald. 23 June 2019.
  60. ^ "Canberra Raiders end 25-year wait to reach NRL grand final with victory over Rabbitohs". The Guardian. 27 September 2019.
  61. ^ "NRL grand final player ratings: Roosters and Raiders hits and misses". The Sydney Morning Herald. 6 October 2019.
  62. ^ "Sydney Roosters beat Canberra Raiders to win NRL Grand Final". BBC Sport. 6 October 2019. Archived from the original on 1 August 2020.
  63. ^ "How Ricky Stuart reacted to grand final 'six-again' refereeing shocker". WWOS.
  64. ^ "Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart storms out of press conference after one question". wwos.nine.com.au.
  65. ^ "Papalii and Wighton named Raiders' best at 2020 Meninga Medal". Canberra Weekly. Newstate Media. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  66. ^ "Sydney Roosters beat Nth Queensland 30-16, South Sydney defeat Cronulla 32-22 and Canberra beats the Bulldogs 20-18". Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
  67. ^ "Roosters' 'Mr Fix It' stuns with hat-trick, Sloppy Raiders' final fade out ends season: 3 Big Hits". Australia: Fox Sports. 2 September 2021.
  68. ^ "Tough conversations coming for senior Canberra stars as interest grows in Parramatta young gun Dylan Brown". The Australian.
  69. ^ "Eels send ruthless title message, bury finals 'ghosts' in Raiders no-show: 3 Big Hits". Australia: Fox Sports.
  70. ^ Full list of every squad at the Rugby League World Cup 2021
  71. ^ "Ricky turned losing a club legend into a winning season. Now for his biggest challenge – Brutal Review". Australia: Fox Sports.
  72. ^ "The people's champ: Papa takes his place in Raiders folklore". National Rugby League. 1 August 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  73. ^ "Raiders Members and Fans to celebrate #Papa300". Canberra Raiders. 1 August 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  74. ^ "Incident involving high-profile Raiders star referred to NRL integrity unit". www.9news.com.au. 19 September 2024. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  75. ^ "The Mole's end-of-season review: The 'wasted' enforcer Ricky Stuart must 'fire up' in 2025". www.nine.com.au.
  76. ^ a b with AAP (6 May 2020). "NRL 2020 anti-vax protest: Josh Papalii, Sia Soliola and Joseph Tapine don't train". News.com.au. Archived from the original on 7 May 2020.
  77. ^ Wilson, Chris (19 May 2013). "Family comes first for loyal Raiders". The Canberra Times. Australian Community Media. Archived from the original on 7 May 2020.
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