The Raiders' fight to save their season takes a trip across the Tasman when they face the New Zealand Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium on Sunday.

Warriors coach Stephen Kearney is looking to spoil Rapana and Tapine's homecoming but he'll be cheering for them when they represent New Zealand in the World Cup later this year.

Tapine has emerged as a wrecking ball on the edge for Canberra in recent weeks and Kearney believes the 23-year-old will finally come of age for the Kiwis.

The Kiwis will be without key forwards Jesse Bromwich and Kevin Proctor when they look to win back the World Cup following their misdemeanours in Canberra earlier this year.

Kiwis coach David Kidwell banned the pair from the World Cup after a Canberra man supplied them with cocaine after the Anzac Test in May.

But Kearney believes Tapine can step into their shoes "quite easily" and play a huge role in New Zealand's World Cup bid.

"I'm pretty sure [he will], quite easily. I'm not the coach anymore but I'm pretty sure he can fill a role somewhere in the squad, there's no doubt about that," Kearney said.

"I followed his progress with a bit of interest obviously when I was the New Zealand coach. I've always had an awareness of Joseph and what he can do."

Tapine came to the Green Machine from Newcastle as a second-rower, but has mainly plied his trade through the middle since joining the Raiders.

That is until Raiders coach Ricky Stuart bit the bullet and moved Tapine to the second row with English international Elliott Whitehead shifting to lock.

The move certainly didn't surprise Kearney, who felt Tapine was a back-rower ever since he first saw him play for the Junior Kiwis.

"He's pretty fortunate in that he can certainly do a job through the middle as well. I don't think it matters where you put him, I think he's a pretty good footballer," Kearney said.

"He's always had a great deal of talent. That was only a matter of time once he settled into a club. It looks like he's found a good home there at the Raiders.

"Once he settled down, he's played some really consistent footy which he has done over the last couple of years, and particularly this year. He's always had that talent."

The Raiders delivered their best performance of the year against the defending premiers last weekend while Kearney slammed the Warriors for not trying in their loss to the Newcastle Knights.

Kearney admits "honest conversations" kicked off a "tough week", but Rapana says the Green Machine can't afford to be lulled into a false sense of security with their season on the line.

The Raiders flyer isn't worried about a World Cup appearance but he's still hoping to get one over his Kiwi teammates across the Tasman on Sunday.

"I haven't even really given [the World Cup] any thought at all," Rapana said.

"Where we are sitting on the ladder has taken my mind away from representative footy. I'm focused on trying to get this finals spot. I know that if we can get to the top eight then we'll definitely be serious contenders.

"My thoughts and focus is totally here with the Raiders. Whatever happens at the end of the year happens. For me, my job is here. We've got a premiership to win so I'm just fully focused here."

NRL ROUND 23

Sunday: New Zealand Warriors v Canberra Raiders at Mt Smart Stadium, 2pm.

Raiders: 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. Joe Tapine, 13. Elliott Whitehead. Interchange: 14. Kurt Baptiste, 15. Clay Priest, 16. Dave Taylor, 17. Luke Bateman, 18. Michael Oldfield, 19. Jeff Lima, 20. Royce Hunt, 21. Erin Clark.

Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c) 2. David Fusitua 3. Blake Ayshford 4. Solomone Kata 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Kieran Foran 7. Mason Lino 8. Jacob Lillyman 9. Nathaniel Roache 10. Ben Matulino 11. Bunty Afoa 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Simon Mannering. Interchange: 14. Issac Luke 15. Sam Lisone 16. Isaiah Papalii 17. James Bell 18. Jazz Tevaga 20. Chris Satae 21. Ata Hingano 22. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad