The world's best second-rower has been mentoring Corey Horsburgh in his shift to the second row.

And Bateman (shoulder) backed him to be ready for round one to face the Gold Coast Titans at Canberra Stadium on Friday.

The England international will be out until round seven following surgery during the pre-season.

Horsburgh joked he'd been helping Bateman's rehabilitation to get him back quicker.

"I've been giving him shoulder rubs and saying, 'Hurry up Johnny'," he said.

"Nah, he's a quick healer he'll be back before we know it. He did his face last year and he was back pretty quick.

"I'm no John Bateman. Hopefully he comes back quick so I can go back where I belong. I'll do my best out there."

That best will be helped by the advice of the 2019 NRL second-rower of the year.

Bateman liked what he saw from Horsburgh in his first hit-out on the edge in the Raiders' trial win over the Canterbury Bulldogs in Port Macquarie last weekend.

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Although he did have to watch the replay after falling asleep watching the live stream.

"I was really impressed, I was really happy with how he went," Bateman said.

"There's always going to be things he needs to pick up on, it's his first ever time playing there.

"I sat down with him and did some video with Elliott [Whitehead].

"We sat down him, George [Williams] and Curtis [Scott] and went through a few little bits.

"I said to him, 'If you need anything, just come ask the question', which he has done. He has asked plenty of questions.

"It's been good so far, I've enjoyed sitting back and doing a little bit of a different role and just helping him out. He'll be ready for round one."

Horsburgh was happy with the defensive side of his game, but felt he tried to force a few things offensively.

He said that would come with time as he continued to work with Raiders halfback Williams.

They're part of an all-new Raiders right edge along with centre Scott and winger Nick Cotric.

"I was happy with my defence, but I think I tried to overplay my hand in attack. I think it was just first game. I'll get better there," Horsburgh said.

"Just stupid offloads and stuff. I got a couple away, but one that hit the deck.

"But once I get the rhythm with Georgey it'll be good out there."

The Canberra Times revealed Horsburgh was the frontrunner to fill the gap on the Raiders' right edge, despite having played all of his NRL games in the middle.

He's barely even played there as a junior, but he expected it to make him a better all-round player - especially with his awareness and ability to play what he sees in front of him.

"I played there once in my schoolboy days because they didn't think I was big enough to be a middle," Horsburgh said.

"But I've always been a lock mostly all my life.

"It will help me in the long run. You never know what can happen in footy.

"Elliott or John can hurt themselves in a game and I can slot out there now.

"It will help me in the long run. Helps you with looking up and looking at what's in front of you."

Bateman said it would also help the flexibility of the team - especially given Bateman, Luke Bateman (knee), Hudson Young (suspended) and Ryan Sutton (suspended) are all missing for the Titans game.

"It's massive, especially in situations like this. Ryan Sutton is going to get banned for a game now, so there's an opportunity for someone else to come in," Bateman said.

"It helps massively, obviously we've got [Joe Tapine] and Sia [Soliola] as well. Those boys can just rotate on the field if you need them to."

NRL ROUND ONE

Friday: Canberra Raiders v Gold Coast Titans at Canberra Stadium, 6pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.