The inclusion of McCrone means Austin will have his fourth different halves partner this season in Sunday's game against the Penrith Panthers at Pepper Stadium.

After starting the season with Mitch Cornish as his running mate, Austin built up a wonderful combination with Williams until he partially tore his pectoral muscle two weeks ago.

Fullback Jack Wighton played at halfback for the first time in his career in last weekend's 21-20 loss to the Sharks.

Wighton has returned to his favourite position, allowing McCrone to make his first appearance for the Raiders since round three.

Austin doesn't believe his game will change greatly with McCrone at halfback given he has more than 100 games of first-grade experience.

"He'll understand the role he's coming in to play and he'll know that he'll have to try and sort of play like Sammy," Austin said.

"I'll just have to carry a little bit more than what I do and I think it'll all work out.

"Macca is a seasoned first grader and played a lot of games at that level. He's not going to come in and be overawed.

'"He's going to be really keen to impress and I'm sure he'll rise to the occasion of being back in the NRL."

It will be McCrone's first game in the halves in the NRL since round 24 last year against the Cronulla Sharks.

"He'll carry a bit more of that responsibility of leading the team and hopefully allow me to pop up on the field like I was," Austin said.

Austin has emerged as the buy of the season after joining the Raiders on a three-year deal.

But the 24-year-old NSW State of Origin contender isn't resting on his laurels, and knows his kicking game is one aspect he can improve on.

"It's not something that comes as natural as my other role," Austin said. "I'm enjoying the challenge of adding those things into my game. To be a quality half, you've got to have plenty of strings to my bow and these are the ones I need to keep working on.

"Looking into the future, these few weeks without Sammy could really be good for myself and hopefully make me a better first grader."

Williams played alongside McCrone in the halves during his first stint at the Raiders from 2011-13.

That gives him the confidence that McCrone and Austin will be able to strike up a successful partnership.

"I've got no doubt Macca is going to do a really good job this weekend," Williams said. "He's probably the most experienced half we've got in the squad. He knows his role, his game, he knows the way the team plays.

"He's a smart enough footballer to go in there and not have to worry about changing too much.

"With more than 100 first-grade games at halfback, I don't think that will be too big of an issue."