Dunamis Lui ready to lift when Canberra Raiders need him most

With Josh Hodgson and Sia Soliola both out with long-term injuries, Stuart was desperate for another leader and Lui emerged as an unlikely hero.

He went straight into video sessions and made his first call to Soliola, who could barely talk with a broken jaw.

But it worked wonders and cometh the hour Lui finds himself crashing through the middle, helping lead the Raiders to victory over the two-time premiers.

"We had a few injuries and the game before we lost Hodgo, which was really big for us. Stick brought me to the side, he wanted someone to step up," Lui said.

"I started doing a bit more of our video sessions and presentations. I think it just carried onto the footy field. Our whole team is built on leadership and it wasn't just me, there were a few other guys as well.

"I think [my game] is a bit more mature. We have our structures and systems that we work on... I think it's maturity and not doing selfish things on the field. Our whole team is pretty much on the same page which makes it a lot easier."

Lui is ready to lift again for the Raiders' semi-final on Friday night. The formula is the same as when Stuart first pulled him aside for a Roosters clash at the SCG - only this time a premiership is at stake.

And Lui has since become the strip king.

In a Hodgson-esque effort, the 30-year-old prop has produced the most one-on-one strips so far this season with seven.

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It's half of the Raiders' combined effort of 14, while Hudson Young has made two. He's gained a reputation as a kleptomaniac, but laughs he'll hand the title back when co-captain Hodgson returns from injury.

"I don't really think too much about going in to strip the ball, it's just one of those things that just happens," Lui said.

"If Hodgo was still playing, he'd be the strip king. I relieve that title from him. When the rule first came in last year, we did practice it a little bit to try and get up in our game. But I haven't been practicing, it just happens. After you get a couple, it's pretty fun."

Lui has been named on the bench for Friday's semi-final, covering for Soliola at prop. The pair are set for a mouth-watering clash with Rooster Siosiua Taukeiaho, while Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will meet Josh Papalii.

Lui has relished the return of veteran Soliola to the middle, saying he helps lift the forward pack alongside Papalii and Joe Tapine.

"His first week back he was straight into video sessions, so it makes it a lot easier. He has a lot of knowledge and the way he plays on the field, you get a big lift off some of the stuff he does," Lui said.

"It's really good having him back. And he's just one guy, we also have [Papalii] and [Tapine], they're all leaders in our forward pack. Those three guys really get us where we want to go."

Lui was named the Raiders' club person of the year last week, taking home the Fred Daly Memorial Trophy for his leadership at the Mal Meninga awards.

NRL SEMI-FINAL

Friday: Canberra Raiders v Sydney Roosters at the SCG, 7.50pm.