The Raiders and Knights are similar - they've both got revamped forward packs and a fullback transitioning to five-eighth.

But more importantly they're both in similar situations - they missed the NRL finals last year, but are looking to force their way into them.

Their clash at Canberra Stadium on Friday is the kind of game the Green Machine needs to win - especially at home - to make that happen.

A win would give them a 2-1 record, but also keep them ahead of the Knights, who they could be fighting for a spot in the top eight later in the season.

One of the keys to that lies in stopping - or minimising - Klemmer's impact.

The NSW State of Origin prop has ploughed through 417 metres in the opening two games - the most of any forward in the NRL.

He's the key behind the Knights' go-forward and giving momentum for halves Mitchell Pearce and Kalyn Ponga to work off.

With Klemmer playing 60-plus minutes per game, part of that responsibility will fall to Sia Soliola, who will come off the Raiders' bench to provide impact through the middle.

"A lot of the responsibility the bench guys have is either maintaining or lifting the intensity and energy levels," Soliola said.

"Regarding how the game is panning out, you want to make a stamp and let your teammates know you’re not afraid of things and you want to finish off the half or start off the second half with lots of energy."

Raiders back-up hooker Siliva Havili brought up his 50th NRL game in the loss to the Melbourne Storm.

He's played 26 straight for the Green Machine since joining the club ahead of the 2018 season.

Initially, that was starting hooker while Josh Hodgson was out injured, but now he's being used more as a middle who has the ability to ball play.

His versatility was especially important last week, coming on to replace John Bateman at lock when the England international moved to the second row to cover the loss of Joe Tapine (thumb).

But he has to be ready to shift to dummy half if Hodgson needs a break.

"I’ve always got to keep that up my sleeve. I don’t want to be unprepared going into a game without doing something I’ve always known," Havili said.

"I don’t mind it [playing lock]. I get to get the ball in my hands and I get to run, which I like to say is one of my strengths in my game, my attacking game.

"My goal this year is to give Hodgey and our team quick play-the-balls and something to run behind.

"We’re all chasing the silverware for the club and I plan to be a part of it. I’m going to do all I can to be in the 17 every week."

Havili said they needed to start better after the Storm ran over the top of them in the first 30 minutes last Friday.

Soliola agreed.

The Raiders' pack found itself on the back foot from the start and wasn't able to arrest any momentum back until the second half.

"We left ourselves too much work after that first period. We look forward to trying to get some momentum this week," Soliola said.

NRL ROUND THREE

Friday: Canberra Raiders v Newcastle Knights at Canberra Stadium, 6pm. Tickets from Ticketek.

Raiders squad: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Jarrod Croker (C), 4. Joey Leilua, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson (C), 10. Dunamis Lui, 11. John Bateman, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Ryan Sutton. Interchange: 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Hudson Young, 16. Sia Soliola, 17. Corey Horsburgh. Reserves: 18. Sam Williams, 19. JJ Collins, 20. Bailey Simonsson, 21. Jack Murchie.

Knights squad: 1. Connor Watson, 2. Edrick Lee, 3. Hymel Hunt, 4. Jesse Ramien, 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 6. Kalyn Ponga, 7. Mitchell Pearce (C), 8. David Klemmer, 9. Danny Levi, 10. James Gavet, 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 12. Sione Mata'utia, 13. Tim Glasby. Interchange: 14. Kurt Mann, 15. Aidan Guerra, 16. Mitchell Barnett, 17. Herman Ese'ese. Reserves: 18. Josh King, 19. Mason Lino, 20. Jamie Buhrer, 21. Brodie Jones.