Local junior Sebastian Kris has returned to the Canberra Raiders after missing the entire season, and is one of several young guns being considered for the final spot available on the club's 30-man 2021 roster.
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Kris returned in a train-and-trial capacity a few weeks ago after he was given extended sick leave following his debut season in the NRL last year, during which he played four matches for the Raiders.
The 21-year-old was part of Canberra's 30-man roster this season, but didn't play in a single game.
"He just had some family issues that he had to attend to," head of Raiders recruitment Peter Mulholland said.
"He's back and he's looking really keen, and he approached us which was great."
The Raiders look to have 29 of their 30-man squad locked in for next season, although the club is still awaiting government clearance on English import Harry Rushton. Canberra announced the signing of the Wigan young gun for three years back in July, but his move to Australia amidst the COVID-19 pandemic is still up in the air.
Jordan Rapana is also part of next year's 30-man squad, although the veteran is yet to re-sign a two-year deal being offered by the Raiders. Club officials are hoping to finalise an extension as soon as possible.
That leaves a 30th and final spot on the Raiders' NRL roster for next season, which coach Ricky Stuart is in no immediate hurry to fill. Mulholland said there was a strong chance the club could promote from within.
"Rick just wants to sit on his hands at the moment, it might even be someone from within our own group," Mulholland said.
"We've got kids like Elijah Anderson on a train and trial, Seb Kris has come back on a train and trial. There's opportunities for those to come up into that top 30 if we need it as well."
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Queenslander Anderson joined the club on a two-year deal earlier this month.
The Raiders have also secured the services of Victorian Sione Tapu'osi, who signed a two-year deal with the club earlier this month.
Tapu'osi had been on a rugby union scholarship at St Joseph's Nudgee College in Brisbane, but the ex-Melbourne Storm junior was keen to return to league.
"He comes from Mildura which is closer to us than Brisbane is to him," Mulholland said.
"We watched him for most of the season. I knew who he was and everything else. He's got a guy that manages him that's a rugby league agent who I know pretty well."
Tapu'osi will likely feature in the SG Ball side next season, which will be run as an under-19s competition.
James Buckley
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
