Despite having to clear the tears from an emotional week out of his eyes, he was brilliant in leading the Green Machine to an emphatic 32-12 victory over an insipid South Sydney at Dubbo on Sunday.

Canberra's third consecutive victory brought the Raiders level with the Rabbitohs on five wins, just points differential keeping the Green Machine outside the top eight.

But the win could have come at a cost with fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad forced off at half-time with a hamstring injury - opening the door for exciting young fullback Xavier Savage to potentially enjoy an extended period in the side.

Canberra also lost halfback Matt Frawley just before kick-off with gastro, while prop Ryan Sutton was ruled out with influenza on game day as well.

The Rabbitohs lost three players to head knocks - Taane Milne, Liam Knight and Tevita Tatola.

Papalii was dominant in the middle - scoring a try, running for 132 metres and making eight tackle busts.

His first hit up took Tatola out of game and his defence was typically tough too.

He celebrated his 250^th NRL game with a typically powerful try in the first half - crashing over from close range while beating three Bunnies.

It'll go nicely with the one he scored against the Rabbitohs to send the Green Machine into the 2019 grand final - a try Raiders coach Ricky Stuart rated as one of his two favourite moments of Papalii's career.

There were a few worries heading into the final quarter of the game, however, when Papalii took some time to regather his composure after copping a knock on his shoulder - but he was straight back up putting it into bruising tackles to complete the game.

The 30-year-old revealed just how emotional the week had been for the family man.

"We're finally stringing it together and it's very pleasing to see. I love this club with all my heart and it's a good way to bring up 250," he told Fox League.

"I cried all week - just reminiscing on what got me here, my parents' sacrifice, my wife, my kids. It's just been an emotional week.

"Now I get to sit back and enjoy it with the boys and enjoy a few cold ones."

Raiders five-eighth Jack Wighton marked his return from a two-week suspension with a lovely cut-out pass to put winger Nick Cotric over to start the Raiders' dominant display.

Tries to Hudson Young, Sebastian Kris - after a brilliant piece of team play ended up with him - Matt Timoko and Savage completed the rout, with consolation tries for Damien Cook and Alex Johnston.

It'll be interesting to see whether Savage gets the nod for the Raiders No.1 jersey for their massive game against the Parramatta Eels at Canberra Stadium next Sunday.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart praised his side after the flu threw their training week into chaos.

"That performance out there, that win, after the week we've had with the flu and injuries to players - I've had to pull two out on the day of the game," he said.

"We had to change our whole schedule around in regards to protecting the healthy ones from influenza.

"We had eight or so blokes, five out of the starting 17 had to train at different hours.

"These blokes don't like hearing too much about it because they don't like getting rapped, but they deserve it.

"It was a really, really good performance under the conditions and the pressure we had on us in regards to the training schedule."

AT A GLANCE

CANBERRA RAIDERS 32 (Nick Cotric, Josh Papalii, Hudson Young, Sebastian Kris, Matt Timoko, Xavier Savage tries; Jordan Rapana 4 goals) bt SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS 12 (Damien Cook, Alex Johnston tries; Blake Taaffe 2 goals) at Dubbo. Referee: Peter Gough.