Do it early. And do it often. Because he's the most damaging lock in the game.

Papalii's been so impressed by Tapine's start to the season he thinks the Green Machine needs to put his power and skill to better use.

Starting against the New Zealand Warriors at Canberra Stadium on Saturday.

Tapine's run for 257 metres in the opening two rounds, had a try assist, a linebreak assist, three offloads and 10 tackle busts - as well as making 52 tackles.

But Papalii felt they could make even better use of the New Zealand international's talents as they come up against a Warriors pack that now contains ex-Sea Eagle Addin Fonua-Blake.

"We're still trying to find those little combinations," Papalii said.

"I honestly think Joseph needs the ball a bit more. He's the most damaging lock out there if we can find ways of getting him the ball early.

"With Ryan James, Sia and Ryan Sutton coming off the bench, they're doing a good job."

MORE RAIDERS NEWS

Papalii felt the Warriors were dangerous right across the park - with even their back five taking plenty of stopping.

Both prop Fonua-Blake and winger Ken Maumalo are in the top five in the NRL for post-contact metres.

"They're going to be tough. They've got Addin Fonua-Blake leading them, Tohu Harris, players like that coming to play," Papalii said.

"They're very skilful, they've got a big back five we're going to have to try and control."

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart shared similar thoughts about the Warriors.

He also felt the fact the Kiwi side was "on a full-time camp" helped them build teamwork and resilience - especially now they had their families staying with them on the Central Coast.

"It can only be positive for your football, especially now they have the main core of their families with them," Stuart said.

"It's certainly a unique situation for them, but I believe they have it down pat now.

"They have some good people around them that would be making them feel as comfortable as possible."

Stuart was confident Hudson Young (knee) would be fit to take his spot on the Raiders' right edge, where he's been a revelation since the start of the season.

He's scored a try in each game, averaged 98m and 36 tackles, while also making 10 tackle busts in total.

The 22-year-old tweaked his knee towards the end of the gritty win over the Sharks, but Stuart was confident he would play.

"Hudson got through a fair bit of work on Wednesday and if he can get through [Friday] he should be right," Stuart said.

"The boys have pulled up well. We had a good session Wednesday - we only had the one field session so far - had a good couple of days work inside and recovery.

"We've had two long turnarounds in the first two games so the short week this week has been good."

Meanwhile, Raiders fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will play his 50th game for the Green Machine - against the club where he made his NRL debut.

He'll go head-to-head with Warriors fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck - his good mate, but also the man who was keeping him out of the Warriors side.

Nicoll-Klokstad moved across the Ditch in search of greater opportunity, having played seven games in three seasons in Auckland.

But he was an instant success in Canberra, not only making the custodian role his own, but allowing Jack Wighton to settle into his switch to five-eighth at the time as well.

Stuart said talented players were able to quickly slot into a team.

"The good ones do and Charnze is a great fullback," he said.

"The good ones find their feet and find their position in the team very quickly and Charnze has done that. But I must say he works extremely hard at his game."

NRL ROUND THREE

Saturday: Canberra Raiders v New Zealand Warriors at Canberra Stadium, 3pm.

Raiders squad: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Bailey Simonsson, 3. Jarrod Croker (c), 4. Curtis Scott, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. George Williams, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson (c), 16. Sia Soliola, 11. Hudson Young, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Joe Tapine. Interchange: 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Ryan Sutton, 17. Ryan James, 21. Sebastian Kris. Reserves: 19. Tom Starling, 20. Caleb Aekins.

Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2. David Fusitu'a, 3. Adam Pompey, 4. Peta Hiku, 5. Ken Maumalo, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Sean O'Sullivan, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Bunty Afoa, 11. Eliesa Katoa, 12. Bayley Sironen, 13. Tohu Harris. Interchange: 14. Jazz Tevaga, 15. Ben Murdoch-Masila, 16. Leeson Ah Mau, 17. Jack Murchie. Reserves: 18. Tom Ale, 20. Marcelo Montoya.