Just one of three Raiders players to have featured in every game this season, Papalii has cemented his spot in the second-row and is looming as a bolter for the New Zealand team for the end of season Test against the Kangaroos.

Before then, he will return to the city of his birth when the Raiders head across the ditch to face the New Zealand Warriors in Auckland on Sunday.

Papalii's form has coincided with his entire family moving to Canberra at the start of the year.

With younger brother John joining the Raiders' Toyota Cup (under-20s) squad, the entire Papalii clan followed suit.

They live under one roof, with mum Luama, dad Patrick and little sisters Crystal and Tina now calling Canberra home.

''It's pretty important to have my family down here, it's sort of more at home now,'' Josh Papalii said.

''Been craving it for a while and it finally happened.

''My little sisters were the biggest reason why they moved down, to keep us all together.

''I feel real secure now.''

Papalii moved by himself to Canberra in 2010, living with a billet family to take up a contract with the Raiders' SG Ball squad before last year making his NRL debut.

He has followed up a breakthrough year with a consistent season in which he's become one of the first players chosen each week.

Papalii struggled with home-sickness during his first two years in the national capital and would often go home during the club's bye weeks.

But now his phone bills are under control and he's enjoying his parent's home cooking.

Sometimes a little bit too much.

''That explains why I've put on so much weight this year - I've had too many dinners and lunches,'' Papalii laughed.

''No more late night and early morning phone calls.

''Dad has always been a mentor to me and he's been my personal coach.

''When I need help in my game he touches me up on a few things.''

Papalii's big hits and damaging runs in attack have launched him into contention for a Test debut with the Kiwis in October.

His stand-out form has also made him a priority re-signing for the Raiders.

Under contract until the end of next year, Papalii hoped to remain in Canberra but would do the best thing for his family.

''I would love to stay here forever if I could, but I have a few things to take care of,'' he said.

''Family comes first and I'll do whatever is needed to take care of them.''

There's plenty of that in Auckland, the city where he lived until his family moved to Australia when he was seven.

His biggest drama is sourcing tickets for all his relatives. ''I can't wait to see all my cousins, uncles and aunties,'' he said.

''I don't know if I have enough tickets for them all, I know to get a few.''