They're expecting to find out from the NRL in the coming days whether Josh Papalii and Joe Tapine will be allowed to travel to Queensland to play the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville next weekend.

Both big boppers had their reasons for not wanting to get the flu shot, which was made mandatory for NRL players to be allowed to train or play in the Banana State.

Manly had controversial prop Addin Fonua-Blake cleared to face the Cowboys on Friday night after he initially refused to have the needle.

But it's believed he did get the flu shot in the end.

It will be a massive boost for the Green Machine if the exemption is granted, given the massive injury toll they have in their forward pack.

Losing two of their best middles on top of that is a headache they don't need.

"We've submitted exemption requests through to the NRL and they're pending ... I'd imagine we'll hear back over the next couple of days," Raiders football manager Matt Ford said.

MORE RAIDERS NEWS

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said they got through their captain's run unscathed on Friday.

That in itself is a boost given he was forced to name John Bateman (shoulder) in the 21 even though he's unlikely to be fit to play.

Stuart was expecting to face a South Sydney side that was back to their best after they gave Newcastle a scare last week.

The Rabbitohs' form has been indifferent this season, but they scored three unanswered tries in the final 15 minutes against the Knights to almost pinch the two points.

That was the form Stuart was expecting Souths to bring to Canberra Stadium on Saturday night.

"The way they finished their game last week was typical Souths, the Souths that we all know," he said.

"They're a very smart, attacking team with two very smart halves. They'll test our defence.

"We've got to make sure we're on defensively. The last two weeks I've been very happy with some of our defensive attitude and execution.

"It's something we've got to keep working on and improving because in most cases you would also state your work comes off the back of defence."

NRL ROUND 11

Saturday: Canberra Raiders v South Sydney Rabbitohs at Canberra Stadium, 7.35pm.

Raiders squad: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Jarrod Croker (c), 4. Jordan Rapana, 5. Semi Valemei, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. George Williams, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Siliva Havili, 10. Dunamis Lui, 11. Hudson Young, 12. Elliott Whitehead,13. Kai O'Donnell. Interchange: 14. Tom Starling, 15. Joe Tapine, 16. Ryan Sutton, 17. Harley Smith-Shields. Reserves: 18. Sam Williams, 19. Darby Medlyn, 20. Matt Frawley, 21. John Bateman.

Rabbitohs squad: 1. Alex Johnston, 2. Corey Allan, 3. Campbell Graham, 4. Dane Gagai, 5. Jaxson Paulo, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Tevita Tatola, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Thomas Burgess, 11. Jaydn Su'A, 12. Bayley Sironen, 13. Cameron Murray. Interchange: 14. Mark Nicholls, 15. Hame Sele, 16. Patrick Mago, 17. Jack Johns. Reserves: 18. Kurt Dillon, 19. Keaon Koloamatangi, 20. Troy Dargan, 21. Steven Marsters.