After impressing off the bench in the opening two Four Nations games, Papalii has been elevated into the starting side for Sunday's crucial encounter with Samoa at Wollongong's WIN Stadium.

The 22-year-old Canberra Raiders forward has been moved into the front-row with the unavailability of the likes of Matt Scott, Paul Gallen, Nate Myles and Andrew Fifita for the tournament.

Papalii has strong Samoan heritage with both of his parents born there.

Samoa has been the suprise packets of the competition, pushing both England (32-26) and New Zealand (14-12) all the way in its opening two games in a boost to the game in the Pacific Islands.

Papalii has played predominately the majority of his 80 NRL games for the Raiders in the second row where he can terrorise opposition teams on the edges.

While the increased workload has taken him some getting used to, Papalii believes he will ultimately move into the front-row as he gets older.

"It's a bit different, definitely tough in the middle, you're always working and doing at least three tackles a set and at least a run or two," Papalii said.

"It's a role I can see myself doing in the future.

"Hopefully not too early, but it's something I'm excited about."

Papalii has had a mixed year, struggling with ankle injuries and poor form on the back of last year's World Cup before earning selection for the Prime Minister's XIII team for the game against PNG.

He admitted to letting himself go last off-season and knows he can't afford to do that again, especially with a young daughter to think about.

"You're not only playing for yourself and your parents anymore, you've got a little one to look after and put on food on the table and to train for and come home to," Papalii said.

"That's one of the main things I took away from last year, coming back to club footy.

"Hopefully I look after myself pretty well after the Four Nations and get ready to mix it with the Raiders again."

Papalii is excited about the Raiders prospects next season and is keen to meet the club's new recruits for the first time.

The Raiders have added Melbourne Storm winger Sisa Waqa and Wests Tigers five-eighth Blake Austin to the backline along with Iosia Soliola and England hooker Josh Hodgson in the forwards.

Halfback Sam Williams has also returned to the club after a season with St George Illawarra and Catalans Dragons.

"Our buys are pretty good this year," Papalii said.

"The likes of Sisa Waqa and Blake Austin, and having Sam Williams come back is a bonus, he knows our game plan and he doesn't have to pick up much.

"Hopefully I can get a good off-season and we can gel a bit this year and start how we finished the end of last season."

His family's allegiances will be split for the match with Samoa, with both of his parents born in the Pacific Island nation and Samoan being the main language spoken in the family home.

"It's pretty exciting, my family's going to be there, but I'm not sure what jersey they're going to wear," Papalii said.

"They're going to support me, but they will also support Samoa as it's the country of their birth.

"You've seen the support of Samoa as a nation at their first game in Brisbane and their last game in New Zealand.

"It shows it's pretty important to have a Pacific Nation there and it proves that the small islands can mix it with the bigger nations."