Josiah
Karapani
Born and raised in Auckland, Josiah Karapani began his rugby league journey with the Ōtāhuhu Leopards, quickly standing out as a gifted back with pace, power, and composure under pressure. A product of Pakuranga College, he represented the New Zealand 18s Clubs before being signed by the One New Zealand Warriors as a teenager.
Karapani featured prominently for the Warriors’ SG Ball Cup side in 2020, crossing for five tries in five appearances during the club’s inaugural campaign before the competition was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. His form caught the eye of Australian scouts, and he soon joined the South Sydney Rabbitohs system, developing through the SG Ball, Jersey Flegg, and NSW Cup competitions.
In pursuit of NRL opportunity, Karapani moved north to Queensland, linking with the Brisbane Broncos and their affiliate club in the Queensland Cup. His breakthrough came in Round 11 of the 2024 NRL season, when he made his first-grade debut during Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium — a moment shared by travelling whānau who watched him realise a lifelong dream.
The following year proved to be a defining one. Karapani became a regular in Brisbane’s backline through the 2025 season, finishing with 11 tries in 13 games, averaging 162 running metres, along with 14 line breaks and 43 tackle breaks. His impact and consistency played a crucial role in the Broncos’ charge to the NRL Premiership, earning him a winner’s ring in just his second top-grade campaign.
That form earned Karapani his first call-up to the New Zealand Kiwis, joining the squad ahead of the Pacific Championships Final against Toa Sāmoa at CommBank Stadium in Sydney. The 23-year-old Aucklander was brought in as a replacement for Sebastian Kris, who was ruled out with a calf injury sustained at training.
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Josiah
Karapani
Born and raised in Auckland, Josiah Karapani began his rugby league journey with the Ōtāhuhu Leopards, quickly standing out as a gifted back with pace, power, and composure under pressure. A product of Pakuranga College, he represented the New Zealand 18s Clubs before being signed by the One New Zealand Warriors as a teenager.
Karapani featured prominently for the Warriors’ SG Ball Cup side in 2020, crossing for five tries in five appearances during the club’s inaugural campaign before the competition was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. His form caught the eye of Australian scouts, and he soon joined the South Sydney Rabbitohs system, developing through the SG Ball, Jersey Flegg, and NSW Cup competitions.
In pursuit of NRL opportunity, Karapani moved north to Queensland, linking with the Brisbane Broncos and their affiliate club in the Queensland Cup. His breakthrough came in Round 11 of the 2024 NRL season, when he made his first-grade debut during Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium — a moment shared by travelling whānau who watched him realise a lifelong dream.
The following year proved to be a defining one. Karapani became a regular in Brisbane’s backline through the 2025 season, finishing with 11 tries in 13 games, averaging 162 running metres, along with 14 line breaks and 43 tackle breaks. His impact and consistency played a crucial role in the Broncos’ charge to the NRL Premiership, earning him a winner’s ring in just his second top-grade campaign.
That form earned Karapani his first call-up to the New Zealand Kiwis, joining the squad ahead of the Pacific Championships Final against Toa Sāmoa at CommBank Stadium in Sydney. The 23-year-old Aucklander was brought in as a replacement for Sebastian Kris, who was ruled out with a calf injury sustained at training.
PROFILE
Height M
183
WEIGHT KG
93
DOB
Jan 19, 2002
HIGHLIGHTS
Test matches
0
Test points
0
Brisbane Broncos (2024-present)
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Brisbane winger Karapani brought into Kiwi squad
Premiership-winning Brisbane Broncos winger Josiah Karapani has been brought into the New Zealand Kiwis’ squad as a replacement player ahead of their Pacific Championships final against Toa Sāmoa at CommBank Stadium in Sydney on Sunday (6.05pm kick-off NZT).
The 23-year-old Aucklander comes in for Canberra Raiders outside back Sebastian Kris who has been ruled out of the campaign with a calf injury picked up in training last week.
After making nine appearances in his rookie season last year, Karapani came back into the Broncos’ lineup midway through the 2025 campaign finishing with 11 tries in 13 games, averaging 162 metres a match with 14 line breaks and 43 tackle breaks.
An Ōtāhuhu Leopards junior, he was signed by the One New Zealand Warriors as a teenager, making five appearances – and scoring five tries – in the club’s first season in the SG Ball Cup in 2020 (which was shelved after six rounds due to the Covid pandemic).
The Pakuranga College product, who represented the New Zealand 18s Clubs, was then signed by South Sydney but ultimately found his way to Queensland before breaking into the NRL with the Broncos – and winning an NRL premiership ring last month.
While Kris has been replaced in the Kiwis’ Pacific Championships squad, no player has been added for prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona who has also been ruled out of the final with a calf injury.
Biography
Last updated:
November 20, 2025
Born and raised in Auckland, Josiah Karapani began his rugby league journey with the Ōtāhuhu Leopards, quickly standing out as a gifted back with pace, power, and composure under pressure. A product of Pakuranga College, he represented the New Zealand 18s Clubs before being signed by the One New Zealand Warriors as a teenager.
Karapani featured prominently for the Warriors’ SG Ball Cup side in 2020, crossing for five tries in five appearances during the club’s inaugural campaign before the competition was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. His form caught the eye of Australian scouts, and he soon joined the South Sydney Rabbitohs system, developing through the SG Ball, Jersey Flegg, and NSW Cup competitions.
In pursuit of NRL opportunity, Karapani moved north to Queensland, linking with the Brisbane Broncos and their affiliate club in the Queensland Cup. His breakthrough came in Round 11 of the 2024 NRL season, when he made his first-grade debut during Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium — a moment shared by travelling whānau who watched him realise a lifelong dream.
The following year proved to be a defining one. Karapani became a regular in Brisbane’s backline through the 2025 season, finishing with 11 tries in 13 games, averaging 162 running metres, along with 14 line breaks and 43 tackle breaks. His impact and consistency played a crucial role in the Broncos’ charge to the NRL Premiership, earning him a winner’s ring in just his second top-grade campaign.
That form earned Karapani his first call-up to the New Zealand Kiwis, joining the squad ahead of the Pacific Championships Final against Toa Sāmoa at CommBank Stadium in Sydney. The 23-year-old Aucklander was brought in as a replacement for Sebastian Kris, who was ruled out with a calf injury sustained at training.
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