Canberra Raider Siliva Havili hooking into double life ahead of Tonga Test

But regardless of what happens, his back-up Siliva Havili will be ready to do whatever role Raiders coach Ricky Stuart requires of him against the Parramatta Eels in Darwin next Saturday.

First he's back in the red jersey representing Tonga against New Zealand in Auckland on Saturday.

Havili will start at dummy half for Tonga, his 11^th test for the island nation he's previously led in the Sipi Tau war cry.

"It's exciting for the country, it's exciting for the game. It's a big occasion again. Everyone always gets up for this game," he said. "It's good that the boys get a break and it's good to see some international footy in that break."

One positive to come out of Hodgson's injury was Havili's return to the hooking role in the lead-up to the Test against the Kiwis.

For most of the 2019 NRL season, Havili's been coming off the bench and playing as part of the prop/lock rotation.

But he's had the Raiders' three-game winning streak wearing the No.9 and acclimatising back to the ball-playing role.

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"It's good ... I got my head around playing middle and it was unfortunate he got the injury, but I had to try to fix my head on playing hooker again," Havili said.

"It's been good and I enjoy it. It's been different, but I've enjoyed getting back to the hooker position.

"It was just getting my head around my defence and the main thing is being more behind the ruck and calling the ruck, and not having to carry as much as I was in the middle.

"I've just got to get my head around both positions and do what's best for the team."

If Hodgson's passed fit on Monday the it will likely see Havili return to utility role on the bench, where he's a back-up for Hodgson, but also able to be part of the middle rotation. Havili said Hodgson's return would be a massive boost for the Raiders ahead of their trip to Darwin.

"We'll see how Hodgey goes and it's going to be a good addition to the team so it's going to be exciting once he's fit and healthy and it's only going to be a positive," he said.