Joe Tapin ruled out of Raiders v Warriors last-round clash

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said they'll run out against the New Zealand Warriors at Canberra Stadium on Saturday as selected, with Tapine and star winger Jordan Rapana both set to drop out of the extended squad.

Stuart's resting four players for their final-round clash - Rapana, John Bateman, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Sia Soliola - which they need to win to reclaim third on the NRL ladder.

The South Sydney Rabbitohs leapfrogged them with their come-from-behind win over reigning premiers Sydney Roosters on Thursday night.

Tapine has missed the past two games with a rib injury he picked up in the Green Machine's gutsy win over the Melbourne Storm.

"He won't play. It's the 17 I've named," Stuart said ahead of Friday's captains' run.

"He's getting better. He's a lot better than what he was this time last week so I'm hoping he'll be available for selection next week."

Tapine's had an injury interrupted season and has played just 14 games so far this season.

Thumb, ankle and now rib problems have interrupted his 2019, with his latest setback coming just as he was hitting top form.

His return is not the only potential finals boost for the Raiders, with Joey Leilua set to return from a two-game suspension next week.

"He's certainly doing a lot of fitness at the moment," Stuart said of Tapine.

"Both him and [Leilua] are getting a lot of work under the belt. Fortunately the ribs don't stop him from running and doing that type of stuff so he is getting a lot of conditioning.

"He'll be down a little bit on match fitness when he does eventually get back into the team, but he'll be another great bonus for the boys."

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: 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.