Raiders legend Meninga revealed Austin and prop Boyd were part of his plans ahead of the World Cup next year after the pair helped Canberra rise into the NRL's top four for the first time in 13 years.

It could force Austin into a choice between England and Australia after the Sydney-born five-eighth left the door ajar for a potential bid to play for England next year.

Austin qualifies for England selection through his grandmother and has previously represented Portugal.

Austin has been a key cog in Canberra's rise up the ladder and will be crucial to their premiership hopes ahead of their clash against the South Sydney Rabbitohs on Sunday.

Raiders enforcer Shannon Boyd is another candidate in Meninga's selection mix, and the front-rower could form an imposing Test prop combination with Canberra teammate Josh Papalii.

"I think Blake Austin's a chance - maybe as a fourteen. I like Boyd, and I obviously like Josh Papalii," Meninga told Fairfax Media.

"There's a number of players to be honest with you. If they keep their development and keep growing as players that I think could put their hand up.

"There's heaps of players there that can take the next step, but it all depends on their development in the club. The club's got to be doing well, and they've got to be playing really well for their club, and because of that they start getting recognised.

"They're focusing on their club footy, the club's doing well, and we'll start looking at players at the club around rep stuff."

The Raiders moved into the top four last weekend after beating the New Zealand Warriors at Canberra Stadium.

It's the first time they've been in the NRL's top four this late in a season since 2003.

If they beat the struggling Rabbitohs, who have lost seven games in a row, the Raiders can almost secure their first finals berth since 2012.

Raiders skipper Jarrod Croker has emerged as an NRL superstar with a record-breaking season for the club, and coach Ricky Stuart has backed the Goulburn junior as a future NSW State of Origin player.

"I think [Croker's] been knocking on the door for a while there," Meninga said.

"While obviously everyones got their opinion of him – defence was a probably a negative towards that – sometimes it's not the individual's fault for missing the tackles, it's those around him as well.

"Obviously they've got that sorted out on their left-edge, and because of that he's come up with some really good defensive efforts which is really good to see."

Stuart has built impressive depth at the Green Machine this season and has helped them rise into premiership contention.

However, under-20s gun hooker and skipper Zac Woolford, the son of former Raiders captain Simon Woolford, is poised to join the Canterbury Bulldogs on a two-year deal.

Meninga, who won a rugby league World Cup in 1992, has been keeping a close eye on the Raiders' emerging talent and flagged Raiders pair Joey Leilua and Edrick Lee as players with "potential".

Three-time premiership player Meninga praised the efforts of Canberra's English imports Josh Hodgson and Elliott Whitehead, who have played starring roles in the Raiders' charge to the top four.

"Josh Hodgson's been a revelation for the club," Meninga said.

"He's one of the best hookers running around in the game, there's no doubt about that... He's smart out of dummy half, he's got great vision, he's a tough nut, he defends really well.

"He will be a player to watch, most definitely."

NRL

Sunday: Round 20 - South Sydney Rabbitohs v Canberra Raiders at ANZ Stadium, 2pm. TV time: Live on Fox Sports 1.