Canberra Raiders lock Joe Tapine's set to make it a double-barrelled boost for the Green Machine.
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The New Zealand international's overcome his knee injury and will be fit to play the Brisbane Broncos at Canberra Stadium next weekend.
He passed a fitness test on Tuesday and will join Josh Papalii, who's returning from suspension, as one of two big ins for the struggling Raiders.
It's a massive boost after the loss of Corey Horsburgh (wrist) for almost two months and Ryan James through a one-week suspension.
"We're just going to keep the intensity up in his training over the next week and Taps will be available to play next week," Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said.
Tapine's return was not just a boost to the playing stocks, but the Raiders' leadership as well.
It's been largely overlooked they've lost key senior players as they've struggled over the past two months - winning just one of their past eight games.
Jarrod Croker (knee), Josh Hodgson (calf), Papalii, Jack Wighton, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (neck) and Sia Soliola (knee) have all spent time on the sidelines.
Stuart said they needed to be better dealing with adversity - even without their leaders.
"Having Josh and Joe Tapine available to play next week brings back some senior players," he said.
"We've had a very disrupted season of injuries, suspension, and it's been a lot to my leaders and senior players, and it knocks the continuity and the rhythm of your team around because you're not getting much cohesion playing together.
"It's certainly not an excuse because we need to be better, but it's something we have had to confront."
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With the Raiders having a bye this weekend, Stuart flew to Sydney on Thursday ahead of NRL Immortal Bob Fulton's funeral.
The pair became close during Fulton's time as Kangaroos coach and NSW Blues head of selectors.
They were also mates and went away hunting and fishing in Darwin, as well as spending time on Fulton's property at Quambone - out past Dubbo.
"I played the game from a five-year-old and he was the bloke I idolised - my two idols as a kid growing up were Bob Fulton and Tom Raudonikis, and unfortunately both of them passed away this year," Stuart said.
"With Bob he had a lot to do with my career in regards to coaching me on two Kangaroos tours and a World Cup, and he joined me as head of selection with Origin [when I was Blues coach].
"He was a very knowledgeable person who helped me throughout my playing and coaching careers and I'll never forget him for that."