While it wasn't enough for the Canberra Raiders to beat North Queensland, Papalii certainly delivered in a powerful first-half display.

He'll have to be just as good again, if not better, against a Penrith pack boasting James Fisher-Harris and Isaah Yeo at Penrith next Sunday.

Papalii ran for 113 metres in the first half, ending with 142m for the game, as both he and front-row partner Joe Tapine (131m) tried manfully against a Jason Taumalolo-led Cowboys comeback.

But Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said the prop pair needed help, with Canberra five-eighth Jack Wighton another to earn the mentor's praise.

While Stuart didn't agree with Papalii's comments last week, where "Papa" said he "wasn't happy at all" with his own form, Stuart was pleased with the sentiment behind his enforcer's comments - a desire to be better.

Stuart has laid down the law and put Papalii's underperforming teammates on notice after the Raiders coach was left embarrassed by the Green Machine's second half.

It means the Canberra coach could be set to ring the changes when he names the team on Tuesday.

Papalii said he would look to ensure he was even better against Penrith.

"I just want to be better for the boys. I know what I'm capable of doing and I think I showed that in the first half," he said.

"Just setting that platform for guys like Jack and [halfback Brad] Schneider, and the edges to play some footy.

"We've just got to work on second halves. Other than that I'm pretty content [with my own game] right now - it just doesn't help when we lose."

MORE RAIDERS NEWS

The Raiders have three days off over Easter before returning to Raiders HQ on Monday.

Papalii said some time away from football with family could help snap them out of their slump.

The Raiders have lost their past three games to drop near the bottom of the NRL ladder.

They've been plagued by errors and ill discipline, with Stuart labelling some of their play in the second-half of the Cowboys loss not up to NRL standard.

"We've got three days off now. The boys will see family, get away from footy and hopefully that's the trigger we need," Papalii said.

"We need to start winning games and get ourselves back in the top eight because in this competition there's no easy games and it doesn't get any easier for us against Penrith.

"Head down, arse up and just keep working hard. I know momentum and games will swing our way - we've just got to be patient and stay in them."

Papalii said the challenge of playing against the reigning premiers should also be a big motivator for the Green Machine.

Given a lot of the Raiders' problems were down to their own poor play, he felt that meant their destiny was in their own hands.

"We're not helping ourselves. We're shooting ourselves in the foot at times and we can only blame ourselves," Papalii said.

"In that sense if we're losing games in ourselves we're the ones to fix it as well.

"Hopefully we can do that. It's going to be a tough ask going to Penrith and playing the premier favourites. Hopefully we click and hopefully it's next week."

NRL ROUND SEVEN

April 24: Canberra Raiders v Penrith Panthers at Penrith, 4.05pm.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: