Ricky Stuart hopes to Sia Soliola in green long term

Soliola will start against the Penrith Panthers at Panthers Stadium on Sunday, with Stuart wanting to honour his veteran in his 100^th game for the Raiders.

Soliola joined the Green Machine from English Super League club St Helens ahead of the 2015 NRL season.

He won the Mal Meninga Medal as the club's best and fairest in his first season and has gone on to become a leader on and off the field.

Stuart has known the 32-year-old since he was 17 and gave him his NRL debut - on the wing for the Sydney Roosters against South Sydney in 2005.

Soliola's been outstanding in the past fortnight, coming into the starting line-up for Josh Papalii at the back end of the State of Origin period.

He ran for 152 metres and 143m against Wests and St George Illawarra respectively to allow Papalii to come off the bench.

Stuart didn't have a specific role in mind for Soliola yet, he just rated him so highly he hoped he would still be with the Green Machine when he hangs up the boots.

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He'll present Soliola with his jumper before the game.

"I want to start Sia this week because it's his 100th game for the club," Stuart said.

"I've known him since he was 17 and our relationship is a lot more than player-coach.

"The things he does around the headquarters here, around the team, outside his contribution on the field is enormous and hopefully Sia is going to be a big part of this club for a long time to come."

Soliola has been named to start alongside Papalii for the first time this season.

Papalii had four days off following the Raiders' 20-12 victory over Wests Tigers at Canberra Stadium last weekend, as did fellow Origin star Jack Wighton.

Thursday's training was their first session back with the team following a gruelling representative period.

"They've had a good break. It's important at this stage after their representative commitments and club commitments now," Stuart said.

"They both bounced back into club footy really well.

"They're big team players and they've done a good job in regards to bouncing back after the rep footy into the Raiders."

Stuart confirmed boom fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad would play, after the former New Zealand Warrior was concerned he'd broken his leg against the Tigers.

But he was able to finish the game and spent Saturday night icing it.

Stuart was expecting a tough clash against the Panthers, who have won their past seven games to climb into the top eight.

"He's OK. That's the way he plays. He plays a physical style of game," he said.

"He gets knocked around a bit, but he's a tough kid. He's handling it very well."

NRL ROUND 19

Sunday: Penrith Panthers v Canberra Raiders at Panthers Stadium, 4pm.

Raiders squad: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Bailey Simonsson, 3. Jarrod Croker (c), 4. Michael Oldfield, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson (c), 10. Sia Soliola, 11. John Bateman, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Joe Tapine. Interchange: 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Emre Guler, 16. Corey Horsburgh, 17. Dunamis Lui, 18. Sam Williams, 19. Royce Hunt, 20. Sebastian Kris, 21. JJ Collins.

Panthers squad: 1. Dylan Edwards, 2. Josh Mansour, 3. Dean Whare, 4. Brent Naden, 5. Brian To'o, 6. James Maloney, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. James Tamou, 9. Mitchell Kenny, 10. James Fisher-Harris, 11, Viliame Kikau, 12. Frank Winterstein, 13. Isaah Yeo. Interchange: 14. Wayden Egan, 15. Jahrome Luai, 16. Moses Leota, 17. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 18. Jed Cartwright, 19. Spencer Leniu, 20. Stephen Crichton, 21. Liam Martin.