Canberra Raiders recruit Harry Rushton started his two weeks' quarantine on Tuesday, which will have him in the ACT almost in time for the start of pre-season.

At one point the Raiders feared they wouldn't be able to get the former Wigan second-rower Down Under due to a limited number of flights and were considering whether they would have to push back the start of his three-year contract.

But they've managed to do it and he'll now form part of Ricky Stuart's 2021 squad.

All up, it will cost the Raiders about $6500 in flights and hotel quarantine.

They've also managed to hold on to back-up halfback Sam Williams, who was being tempted to return to Wakefield Trinity with what's believed to be a three-year deal.

Williams spent the 2017 season with the English Super League club, but has opted to remain in Canberra where he's contracted until the end of next season.

Rushton posted an Instagram story of his view of Darling Harbour from his hotel on Tuesday morning.

Raiders recruitment boss Peter Mulholland helped set up Rushton's living quarters for the next fortnight on Monday - ahead of the 19-year-old's arrival.

That included liaising with Rushton's mum about what food he liked to help him settle in.

That's where the caramel popcorn comes in.

Mulholland will drop off another load of groceries on Friday, as well as some training gear - so his next social media post could see him in Canberra training kit.

Rushton's arrival will mean the Raiders keep their English contingent at five despite the departure of John Bateman, who has returned home to play for Wigan in the Super League.

"Set a gym up, set some weights up, a rowing machine and so forth. It's all good," Mulholland said.

"Gave him a larder full of food. There'll be a replenish on Friday.

"He's a big unit, he's a big kid so it's good.

"I'll bring some training gear and a couple of stretch bands.

"Then he's going to send me a list of food that he wants. I got a list of food from his mother.

"His favourite one was caramel popcorn, so I made sure he got some of that."

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Rushton was originally due to fly into Melbourne in early December, but the international terminal isn't open until a few days after that.

So Mulholland came up with another plan.

He'll now arrive in Canberra earlier and will join Raiders pre-season just a day or two after it begins on December 7.

That's when all the younger players in the senior squad will begin, with most of the senior players returning two weeks later.

The Raiders' State of Origin trio of Josh Papalii, Dunamis Lui and Jack Wighton won't return until next year.

"His flight was originally December 3, but it got cancelled because Melbourne's not opening - and it was going to go through Melbourne - and Melbourne's not opening their terminals until December 7," Mulholland said.

"We worked pretty hard to get another flight over the weekend. I did that on Friday night and then got onto the NRL."