Like magic, Jordan Rapana's done it again.
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The Canberra Raiders' star winger is back ahead of schedule, this time for their crucial magic-round clash against the Sydney Roosters.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has named Rapana (ribs) on the wing, but his best mate Joey Leilua (neck) will have to wait at least another week to play his 200th NRL game.
It also means Leilua's mouth-watering battle against Roosters centre Latrell Mitchell is off, with Michael Oldfield getting that job instead.
Hudson Young has been named in the second row to replace England international John Bateman (eye socket), while Stuart has named young back Bailey Simonsson as a bench utility in the 17 as cover for Rapana.
Simonsson could still come into the starting line-up if Rapana doesn't get up.
Rapana was initially expected to be out for 2-3 weeks, but could only miss the win over the Penrith Panthers in Wagga Wagga on the weekend.
It's not the first time he's come back early from injury - he's not even meant to be back from the shoulder reconstruction he had in the off-season when he was listed as returning round 11-14.
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Oldfield expected Rapana to play.
"I think so. He's definitely a chance. He had his boots on before and we don't train for another hour so he's excited to get out on the field," he said.
"Whether he wants to play this weekend or he's capable I'm not sure, but I'm going to give him every chance."
Mitchell's been sensational this season and tore Wests Tigers apart on the weekend.
It's seen the Roosters centre become a target for South Sydney to replace the retired Greg Inglis.
Oldfield will play just his second game of the season and his 11th for the Raiders, but he's scored eight tries in lime green.
Was Oldfield nervous about facing Mitchell?
"Yes and no. To be honest it's just another big body really," Oldfield said.
"I know he's a talent, but it's not just one on one, you know what I mean, it's team versus team and a lot of our work from the boys inside me helps us on the edges.
"If they're on top of their game it can almost nullify his attack - hopefully. I'm sure everyone will be trying to help me out."
The ladder-leading Roosters are the perfect test for a Green Machine team on the rise, pitting first against third on the NRL table.
Canberra have won the past three encounters between the teams, in a contest that has generally seen the home-team dominate in recent years.
But this game will be fought on neutral ground. The last time that happened the Roosters won - 30-16 at Gosford in 2005 - although the time before that the Raiders won - 15-10 at the WACA in 1993.
It's the first of two crucial games for the Raiders, who will play the second-placed Rabbitohs at Canberra Stadium the following week.
"It will be a good test. The first one is Roosters this Sunday, that's our focus at the moment and we've got to start fast again, and start tough," Raiders prop Josh Papalii said.
"I'm definitely confident in the team turning up and doing a job. We've been going all right so far, but in saying that it's still early.
"With the squad we have we should be doing more than trying to make the top eight, we should be top four and that's where we see ourselves now."
Hudson will likely play on the left edge, with Elliott Whitehead shifting to the right to cover Bateman, in his first NRL start since making his debut in round three.
That will mean he'll avoid Boyd Cordner, Mitchell and Luke Keary, but instead he'll have Angus Crichton, Joseph Manu and Cooper Cronk to deal with.
He was stoked to score his first try, where he broke several Panther tackles on his way to the tryline.
"They're world class players and it will be a good test for myself to go up against those sort of players," Young said.
"I like challenges. Going up against world-class players is the only way to test yourself and better yourself."
NRL ROUND NINE
Sunday: Canberra Raiders v Sydney Roosters at Suncorp Stadium, 2pm.
Raiders squad: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Jarrod Croker (c), 4. Michael Oldfield, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Sam Williams, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson (c), 10. Dunamis Lui, 11. Hudson Young, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Ryan Sutton. Interchange: 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Bailey Simonsson, 16. Sia Soliola, 17. Corey Horsburgh. Reserves: 18. Aidan Sezer, 19. Emre Guler, 20. Royce Hunt, 21. Jack Murchie.
Roosters squad: 1. James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Latrell Mitchell, 4. Joseph Manu, 5. Matt Ikuvalu, 6. Luke Keary, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 9. Victor Radley, 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho, 11. Boyd Cordner (c), 12. Angus Crichton, 13. Isaac Liu. Interchange: 14. Nat Butcher, 15. Zane Tetevano, 16. Sitili Tupouniua, 17. Mitchell Aubusson. Reserves: 18. Lindsay Collins, 19. Josh Curran, 20. Lachlan Lam, 21. Sam Verrills.