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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