When his stationary car was approached by police, Papalii blew 0.123 on a breathalyser and was charged with a mid-range drink driving offence.
Papalii told the court he made the phone calls to police "in order to prove a point".
The jury is out on what he actually meant by this.
It was Papalii's third serious driving offence.
He faced court in 2014 for allegedly driving on a suspended licence because of an unpaid parking fine, which saw him banned from driving for one month.
Earlier that year he was also forced to apologise for throwing a one-litre bottle of moisturising cream at another motorist.
His latest conviction comes just one day after Papalii was selected to play for Australia in the mid-season Test against New Zealand at Canberra Stadium on May 5.
However, his selection is now no certainty after NRL boss Todd Greenberg admitted there are ongoing discussions between the NRL and the Raiders over the possibility of additional action being taken against the 24-year-old.
Magistrate Peter Morrison said his decision to issue the fine and driving ban to Papalii took into account that Papalii would also face additional action from the Raiders and NRL.
It could cost him his Test jumper.
Panthers star James Tamou was rubbed out of a State of Origin game and fined $20,000 by the NRL for a drink-driving offence in 2013.
The NRL and Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga also took a strong stance against misbehaving players when it was decided that Sharks star Andrew Fifita would not be considered for Test selection last year because of an open NRL integrity unit investigation into his support for convicted one-punch killer Kieran Loveridge.
Eels winger Semi Radradra was also overlooked for selection last year because he was yet to face trial to answer to domestic violence charges.
Raiders chief executive Don Furner admitted Papalii may face further sanctions within the game.
"Josh is very remorseful for what went on today we were well represented today and we are happy the matter is over and we'll move on from here," he said.
NRL boss Todd Greenberg told Fox Sports the Raiders will first get to decide what type of penalty Papalii will face.
"We were aware that that was in court today and what I can tell you is there are some discussions happening right now between the NRL integrity unit and the Canberra Raiders and I'll expect them to conclude those discussions pretty quickly," he said.
"But like we always say, there's always consequences for actions and that's a decision that will ultimately be made by Canberra."
