The Raiders marking his 400^th game as an NRL coach with a dour 14-6 victory over Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium on Saturday night that moved them to second on the ladder.

Stuart became just the eighth coach to bring up the milestone.

Wests' defensive line proved resilient for most of the night, with the Green Machine able to get the job done in a five-minute spell in the second half.

Both Canberra halves played their part in that spell, Jack Wighton's running game looked dangerous all night leading to one try and George Williams' deft kicking game producing the other.

It continued the Raiders' dominance over Wests - they've now won seven of their past eight encounters.

But they'll need to be much better if they're going to get the job done against the Manly Sea Eagles at Campbelltown Stadium next week.

Then the Raiders will be the home team and could potentially have a crowd of up to 240 people.

Rapana was a late change, coming into to the starting line-up with Bailey Simonsson dropping to the bench.

At times he played a floating role in attack, with fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad out on the wing.

It set up a mouth-watering clash with old mate Joey Leilua, now on the Tigers' right edge.

But those fireworks never came, with the first half turning into a dogged arm wrestle.

Rapana was his tireless self though, running for more than 100 metres in the opening stanza and finishing the game with 164 - having been forced off with 15 minutes remaining for a head injury assessment and returning with 90 seconds left.

It was a half that was dominated by the outside backs, with Nicoll-Klokstad, Curtis Scott and Tigers backs Adam Doueihi and David Nofoaluma all rolling their sleeves up to do the work.

There was plenty of drama surrounding Wests No.6 jersey during the week, with Josh Reynolds coming in for Benji Marshall.

Reynolds had an incorrect positive drug test, while Marshall was involved in a coronavirus bubble breach.

But Reynolds set up the opening try, Scott fumbling his cross-field kick into the arms of Tigers halfback Luke Brooks, who scooted over.

Nofoaluma went close with just seconds remaining in the first half, but Rapana tackled him into touch before the put down.

The Green Machine struggled in attack against a resolute Wests defensive line.

Canberra's closest threat was a speculative penalty try check by the referee for an obstruction on Scott, but it was quickly dismissed.

Having not played since April last year, former Tigers captain Russell Packer almost made an immediate impact when he came off the bench in the second half.

But it wasn't in a good way.

The final 40 minutes turned into something of a shocker for the former Kiwi international.

He was one of the missed tacklers when Raiders five-eighth Jack Wighton barged over from close range, which came after the Raiders were able to build pressure off the back of several repeat sets.

Packer went to the sin bin for a professional foul in just his sixth minute on the park.

The Raiders instantly took advantage with a delightful George Williams kick in behind weighted perfectly for a charging Nick Cotric to score in the corner.

Then the arm wrestle returned, with Emre Guler (126m) and Ryan Sutton (108m) - who came in for an ill Corey Horsburgh - both providing some momentum for the Green Machine.

Both teams exchanged penalty goals, with the Raiders able to keep Wests as arm length.

Packer's night got even worse when he was put on report for high contact on Joe Tapine, who was forced from the field for an HIA.

The Tigers prop's night also ended early, getting dragged after just 12 minutes on the field.

AT A GLANCE

CANBERRA RAIDERS 14 (Jack Wighton, Nick Cotric tries; Jarrod Croker 3 goals) bt WESTS TIGERS 6 (Luke Brooks try; Moses Mbye goal) at Campbelltown Stadium. Referee: Chris Sutton.