It's the silver lining to come out of Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad's serious neck injury.
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The Canberra Raiders fullback's returned to New Zealand to spend time with his two sons as he continues to get back to full fitness.
He's expected to be out for about eight weeks having avoided surgery on the bulging disc he suffered against Penrith.
The 25-year-old has missed the past two games, giving Caleb Aekins the chance to make his Green Machine debut, with Raiders coach Ricky Stuart expecting him to be out for about another six.
Stuart's given his custodian the chance to return to his native Auckland to get in some family time to aid his recovery, with the coronavirus pandemic making it difficult for the New Zealand international to return home.
Nicoll-Klokstad has spoken of how his sons Rio and Kyrie are his reasons for playing NRL.
Fortunately, a travel bubble has opened up between the two trans-Tasman countries allowing him to return without having to do any quarantine.
"Charnze has gone home to see his children for two weeks," Stuart said.
"He's got a program and then he'll have approximately six weeks of training before he gets to play.
"That's our initial advice and opinion from medical staff, but we're hoping it's about a 7-8 week injury."
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Stuart also revealed co-captain Josh Hodgson (calf) was close to returning, while his other skipper Jarrod Croker (shoulder) wanted to play through a slight injury he suffered in the loss to North Queensland - having had a reconstruction on the same shoulder late last year.
Croker was only expected to be out for a week or two, with Sebastian Kris coming into the centres to cover his absence against South Sydney at Canberra Stadium on Thursday night.
It's likely George Williams will again take up the kicking duties.
"It's only just been operated on so it's important for that to be 100 per cent," Stuart said.
"Jarrod wanted to play. Typical for the inspiration and the captain he is, he wanted to play, but again I followed the medical advice.
"It's more about looking after that shoulder than having to play injured.
"It doesn't need any further medical advice [just] a little bit of rest and physio."
Stuart has challenged Joe Tapine to become a world-class middle forward, after he was dropped for the Cowboys game.
The Raiders were looking to end a three-game losing streak as they face a red-hot Rabbitohs, who they've beaten in six of their past eight meetings.
"Joe can be a world-class middle. It's just a matter of putting his mind to it and being consistent with performance and I'm sure that he'll be motivated to do that," Stuart said.
"All of us have got to be onboard to play well individually and get the team result."
NRL ROUND EIGHT
Thursday: Canberra Raiders v South Sydney Rabbitohs at GIO Stadium, 7.50pm
Raiders squad: 1. Caleb Aekins, 2. Bailey Simonsson, 3. Sebastian Kris, 4. Curtis Scott, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. George Williams, 8. Ryan James, 9. Tom Starling, 10. Emre Guler, 11. Corey Harawira-Naera, 12. Elliott Whitehead (c), 13. Ryan Sutton. Interchange: 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Joe Tapine, 16. Corey Horsburgh, 17. Hudson Young. Reserves: 18. Matt Timoko, 19. Sia Soliola, 20. Matt Frawley, 21. Dunamis Lui.
Rabbitohs squad: 1. Cody Walker, 2. Alex Johnston, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Campbell Graham, 5. Jaxson Paulo, 6. Benji Marshall, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Thomas Burgess, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Tevita Tatola, 11. Keaon Koloamatangi, 12. Jaydn Su'A, 13. Cameron Murray. Interchange: 14. Mark Nicholls, 15. Liam Knight, 16. Jacob Host, 17. Jai Arrow. Reserves: 18. Steven Marsters, 19. Hame Sele, 20. Patrick Mago, 21. Dean Hawkins.