From Rotorua, Papakura toured Australia twice with the New Zealand Māori side; in 1908 with the original touring party and again as captain of the 1909 New Zealand Māori side, he also represented Australasia.
[3] In 1910 Papakura was one of three New Zealanders invited to Sydney to represent Australasia against the touring Great Britain Lions, alongside Albert Asher and Con Sullivan.
[5] He was recommended to Warrington by 1910 Lion Frank Shugars and 1908 All Gold Massa Johnston and joined the club in September.
[5] Papakura played centre for Warrington's first grade team on 14 October 1911 in a 13–8 win over Broughton Rangers at Wilderspool Stadium.
However, he realised he had failed to secure a place in the Warrington first grade team and so he returned to the Festival of Empire in London.