Canberra Raiders and Parramatta Eels trajectories on collision course

Now their upwards trajectories have the Canberra Raiders and Parramatta Eels on a collision course that's set to explode at Canberra Stadium on Sunday.

Like a couple of young billy goats fighting for the top of the mountain.

The only thing separating the Green Machine and the Eels on the NRL ladder is points differential, with both teams winning three of their four opening games of the season.

They're teams with a similar story - the same records, looking to atone for 2018, new halves pairings and revamped forward packs. Plus big, dangerous, outside backs.

Raiders forward Joe Tapine (thumb) has been named on the bench in his return from injury and he was expecting to play through the middle.

He felt both the Raiders and Eels had responded well to missing out on last year's top eight.

"I think both teams had a lot of pressure on us, especially after last year's performances," Tapine said.

"We had to do what we had to do for the fans and try and get a good start and hopefully get into the finals.

"Both teams are pushing for that and just trying to get a good season out of it.

"We're both going to be trying to chase that W and it's going to be an aggressive game and a good game."

A win will give the Raiders their equal best start to a season since 2005 and help cement them near the top of the ladder.

It's a stark contrast to recent years where they've struggled in the opening rounds and had to rely on flying home to make the finals.

Raiders halfback Sam Williams said they would need to improve on their previous performances if they were to extend their winning streak to three.

But the Green Machine have history on their side. The Eels haven't won at Canberra Stadium since 2006.

Williams said form wasn't the most important thing early in the campaign - there's plenty of time to get that. 

But winning was.

"A lot of the wins at the start of the season can be forgotten about at the middle and back end of the season. But the points don't anywhere," Williams said.

"It's extremely important to be winning. We put ourselves on the back foot by losing some games early on in the season [last year].

"This year, although they haven't been the prettiest we've been winning the games. This week will be no different.

"It's not about peaking this week for a 26-round comp because all teams are still trying to find their feet, but what is important is coming out of that game with the win."

Canberra winger Jordan Rapana has part of the important job of shutting down Parramatta's outside backs.

Rapana will be up against Gundagai-Fijian-flyer Maika Sivo, while on the Raiders' left wing Nick Cotric is up against Eels metre-eater Blake Ferguson.

All four wingers are keys to their teams starting off their sets from in their own halves. Working the ball back like they're extra forwards.

Rapana felt if the Green Machine could win that duel then it would play a big role in who gets the two points.

"They're very similar type team to us. If their outside backs are firing and playing well then the rest of the team just plays off the back of it," he said.

"Their big wingers get them on the front foot and get their sets started. We've just got to make sure we're doing a good job on Fergo and Sivo.

"If we can shut them down and keep them quiet and out of the game it will go a long way towards the final result."

NRL ROUND FIVE

Sunday: Canberra Raiders v Parramatta Eels at Canberra Stadium, 6.10pm. Tickets available 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. Sam Williams, 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. Joe Tapine. Reserves: 18. Royce Hunt, 19. Aidan Sezer, 20. Bailey Simonsson, 21. JJ Collins.

Eels squad: 1. Clint Gutherson (c), 2. Maika Sivo, 3. Michael Jennings, 4. Brad Takairangi, 5. Blake Ferguson, 6. Jaeman Salmon, 7. Mitch Moses, 8. Daniel Alvaro, 9. Reed Mahoney, 10. Junior Paulo, 11. Shaun Lane, 12. Marata Niukore, 13. Tepai Moeroa. Interchange: 14. Peni Terepo, 15. Tim Mannah, 16. Kane Evans, 17. Oregon Kaufusi. Reserves: 18. David Gower, 19. Ray Stone, 20. Josh Hoffman, 21. Bevan French.