Rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns says the hulking Raider would be "sensational" for the Blues but Paulo says a State of Origin debut isn't on his radar.

Paulo says he's got to start playing some more consistent football if he wants to feature in Blues coach Laurie Daley's plans for the series opener on May 31.

But the 123 kilogram behemoth will be ready if the opportunity comes his way and he wants to prove it against the Parramatta Eels at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.

"For any footballer who is able to play Origin, it's something that we aspire to," Paulo said.

"It's something that I've always wanted to do in my career as well but for now I'm trying to play good footy week in, week out with the Raiders.

"If the opportunity comes then I'm sure I'll take it with both hands."

Paulo is his own harshest critic and says only if his club coach and teammates think he has done enough to warrant a representative jersey will he start to believe it himself.

The Samoan international is averaging 146.1 metres and nearly 20 tackles per game, and his efforts with ball in hand have him perched alongside Josh Papalii at the top of one of the NRL's most talked about forward packs.

Papalii is Canberra's premier metre eater, averaging 150.7 metres and over 25 tackles per game.

The six-time Queensland representative is in career-best form, while Paulo's numbers suggest he should be in the frame for an Origin call up.

"I'm a tough critic on myself, I've got to be able to do the right job for the boys week in, week out," Paulo said.

"If I'm doing that then obviously the opportunity will come up. I'm not worried about my personal stats. I'm worried about what I'm doing for the team.

"It's been frustrating, we haven't been winning games, but that comes with footy so we've got to be able to get back on that winning circle and getting back on the horse."

Papalii has returned just in time for a State of Origin audition before the squads are announced at the end of the round.

Papalii is Canberra's lone Origin regular and will lead the charge for the Raiders forwards following a tough day out against Newcastle.

"Everyone knows what he brings to the team and the sort of player he is," Paulo said.

"It's going to be a massive boost for us and I'm sure that shifts the middles back into our normal routine."

Raiders hooker Josh Hodgson is fresh off another appearance for England and says there are a few players in Canberra's ranks that could excel at the next level.

Captain Jarrod Croker has been bandied around as a potential option for NSW in the centres while fullback Jack Wighton's name has been floated by Queensland coach Kevin Walters as a Blues hopeful.

But the English rake is adamant Canberra's focus remains on the task at hand against Parramatta this weekend, and not higher honours.

"We know we've got some fantastic players and I know there's a lot of people in our squad who would do a great job at Origin level," Hodgson said.

"It would be nice to see a few of our boys there but first and foremost we need to concentrate on club level and make sure we're putting our best foot forward there.

"Those guys, if they're doing that, will hopefully get the nod or get some accolades after that."

NRL ROUND 11

Saturday: Parramatta Eels v Canberra Raiders at ANZ Stadium, 7:30pm. TV time: Live on Fox League.

Raiders team: 1. Jack Wighton, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Jarrod Croker (C), 4. Joey Leilua, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Blake Austin, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Junior Paulo, 9. Josh Hodgson , 10. Shannon Boyd, 11. Josh Papalii, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Joe Tapine. Interchange: 14. Adam Clydsdale, 15. Luke Bateman, 16. Clay Priest, 17. Sia Soliola, 18. Dunamis Lui, 19. Jordan Turner, 20. Dave Taylor, 21. Scott Sorensen

Eels team: 1. Bevan French, 2. Semi Radradra, 3. Michael Jennings, 4. Kirisome Auva'a, 5. Josh Hoffman, 6. Clint Gutherson, 7. Will Smith, 8. Suaia Matagi, 9. Kaysa Pritchard, 10. Tim Mannah (c), 11. Manu Ma'u, 12. Tepai Moeroa, 13. Nathan Brown. Interchange: 14. Beau Scott (c), 15. Daniel Alvaro, 16. Kenny Edwards, 17. Siosaia Vave, 18. David Gower, 19. Rory O'Brien, 20. Brad Takairangi, 21. Mitchell Moses