Canberra Raiders forward Joe Tapine to decide if ribs can handle New Zealand Warriors

Tapine was named on the Green Machine's extended bench to take on the Warriors at Canberra Stadium on Saturday - having missed the past two games with a rib injury.

Fellow Raiders forward Ryan Sutton felt it would come down to the New Zealand international's own decision.

Sutton said Wednesday's training would be a guide to whether Tapine came into the 17.

"He'll do what's best for him. It's one of those injuries you can't really rush, being a little rib injury, you've just got to let it heal," he said.

"He'll be itching to get out there regardless. He's a great asset to the team ... it's just touch and go with him really.

"I think he'll just have a look at it today and see what he thinks himself.

"We've got important games coming so we want our players ready for those sort of games."

The Raiders are resting four of their stars for the final round - Jordan Rapana, John Bateman, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Sia Soliola - which Hodgson said provided an opportunity for their young guns to state their case going into the finals.

Hudson Young was named in the second row to replace Bateman -a position Tapine could also cover - while Sebastian Kris was named on the wing, with Emre Guler and JJ Collins on the bench.

"Hudson's been named at right back row so we'll see how he goes there," Hodgson said.

"He's played a little bit there this year when John was out and did a good job for us.

"It's good for those kids to get some good minutes coming into next week and the week after.

"It's going to be a really exciting few weeks for them."

NRL ROUND 25

Saturday: Canberra Raiders v New Zealand Warriors at Canberra Stadium, 3pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.

Raiders squad: 1. Bailey Simonsson, 2. Michael Oldfield, 3. Jarrod Croker (c), 4. Nick Cotric, 5. Sebastian Kris, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson (c), 10. Dunamis Lui, 11. Hudson Young, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Ryan Sutton. Interchange: 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Emre Guler, 16. Corey Horsburgh, 17. JJ Collins. Reserves: 18. Sam Williams, 19. Joe Tapine, 20. Jordan Rapana, 21. Tom Starling.

Warriors squad: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2. David Fusitua, 3. Adam Pompey, 4. Blake Ayshford, 5. Ken Maumalo, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Blake Green, 8. Agnatius Paasi, 9. Issac Luke, 10. Leeson Ah Mau, 11. Adam Blair, 12. Isaiah Papalii, 13. Jazz Tevaga. Interchange: 14. Lachlan Burr, 15. Bunty Afoa, 16. Ligi Sao, 17. Adam Keighran. Reserves: 18. Josh Curran, 20. Taane Milne, 21. Hayze Perham, 22. Leivaha Pulu.