While Raiders halfback Sam Williams has taken chief responsibility for directing Canberra's attack in the past fortnight, he admitted Austin had been the dominant voice in preparation for Sunday's game against the Tigers at Leichhardt Oval.

Austin joined the Raiders from the Tigers this season, aware the Tigers were banking on youngsters Luke Brooks and Mitchell Moses as their long-term halves pairing.

While Williams and Austin are a new combination and have played only 88 NRL matches between them, it is double the experience of the Tigers cubs - Moses and Brooks have played 44 NRL games. But containing the Tigers pair features heavily in Canberra's game-plan.

"We spoke to [Austin] about it a little bit, he obviously knows that system really well, he knows the halves combination better than most," Williams said. "He's helped us out a little bit ... we'll have another chat.

"Whenever you've got young halves you can [count on] a bit of flamboyance, that unpredictability. They're growing as players and going to be getting better and better and we have to be aware of what they can do. They're certainly good young halves on the way up."

Fullback James Tedesco, who reneged on a contract with the Raiders last year, and hooker Robbie Farah are the other main danger men for the Tigers.

While it appears unlikely that lock Shaun Fensom will recover from an ankle injury to take his place against the Tigers, Canberra is giving Hodgson every chance to make the battle against Farah.

Hodgson, who suffered a bad cork in a kicking mishap last weekend, is aiming to run with the team on Friday for the first time this week. But Canberra has called three players into an extended squad to cover for Hodgson.

Glen Buttriss, who played every game at hooker for the Raiders last year, would be Hodgson's logical replacement in the starting team. Josh McCrone and Kurt Baptiste have also been training as Canberra looks at options for a bench utility.

"It's one of those injuries you really do have to give up until the last minute," Williams said. "I'm sure it's improving each day, but whether it improves enough to play I'm not sure."

Paul Vaughan, Jarrad Kennedy and Frank-Paul Nu'uausala are the main options to cover for Fensom.

Raiders captain Jarrod Croker said he had faith in the club's depth.

"We'll wait and see how [Hodgson and Fensom] pull up, but if they're not fit I'm still confident we've got the squad to go there and do the job."

The Tigers have started the season 3-3 and are in the top eight, making a promising start under new coach Jason Taylor

"A lot of people wrote the Tigers off as well and they've come out and played some pretty good footy," Croker said.

"There's a lot of similarities to the Roosters, Jason Taylor came from the Roosters so there's some pretty similar shape. They've got Brookes and Moses and then someone like Tedesco at the back who's a future star. They've got some strike across the field, not to mention Robbie Farah coming out of dummy-half."