Papali'i currently plays rugby union for CA Brive Corrèze Limousin in France as back row.

He last played league professionally with French side Lézignan Sangliers in the Elite One Championship, where he covered second-row, lock and centre.

[2] On 16 March 2013, Papali'i made his debut for the New Zealand Warriors' National Youth Championship side against the Sydney Roosters.

Papali'i made his NRL debut for the Roosters from the bench against the South Sydney Rabbitohs on 8 April 2014, in round 6 of the 2016 season.

[11] Lézignan finished top of the league in the regular season, but lost the final of the 2016–17 Championship to the Limoux Grizzlies.

[1] Papali'i's form at club level brought him to attention of the Bay of Plenty Steamers, who signed him for the 2019 Mitre 10 Cup.

[18] He played five times for the side in the regular season as they topped the Championship Division,[17] but did not feature in the play-offs as the Steamers won the title to earn promotion.

[23] His debut was marred by a red card after 25 minutes, for a high tackle on Lions scrum-half Conor Murray.

[24] Despite a problematic introduction to Pro 14 Rugby, whereby a second Red Card in only his third game back from suspension against Zebre[25] lead to a five week ban.