Canberra Raiders flyer Jordan Rapana keen to 'get one back' on Sydney Roosters in NRL return

Rapana has all but abandoned a future return to rugby union as he makes a Canberra comeback in the hope of finding a permanent home in the 13-man code.

Now the unbeaten Green Machine are waiting to see who they will meet when the competition resumes from May 28 as COVID-19 restrictions ease.

Rapana is just desperate to get back on the park but there is one side he would relish the chance to face when the competition is back underway.

While his teammates have played and won two games to launch their 2020 campaign, Rapana's last taste of rugby league came in last season's grand final defeat to the Roosters.

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The draw will not be settled upon until the NRL strikes a new broadcast deal with the Nine Network and Fox Sports, with all three parties on the cusp of an agreement.

It means Raiders coach Ricky Stuart could have little more than a week to prepare his side for a round three clash which effectively feels like another season opener.

"It would be good to play the Roosters, they're obviously the reigning premiers so it would be good to try to get one back on them," Rapana said.

"Happy for whoever it is. Whoever is put there, I know we can do a job. It's awesome to firstly be back, and especially good to be back in the NRL. To come back to the Raiders is obviously even more special."

That job is one the Raiders will have to do on the road for some time when the competition resumes with NRL officials considering limiting the amount of venues used throughout the opening month.

The move would see the Raiders travelling to Sydney for both home and away games until Canberra Stadium is entertained as an option for matches.

Canberra forward John Bateman says travelling up the Hume Highway every week is a small price to pay if it means the Raiders are able to play.

That's why the rugged Englishman is refusing to reach for excuses about being forced to play on the road and potentially missing home games in the capital, because he is confident the Raiders can win anywhere.

"If we're using excuses like that, it's going to cost us at the end of the day," Bateman said.

"We can't use excuses, we know what's going on in the world and we know what it's all about. To get the games up and running, if that means going up and playing in Sydney, then so be it.

"We're a good enough team to go up there and play our best football, so that's what we're going to do.

"We'd love to know who we're playing and how the draw goes but it's one of those things we have to wait on. Hopefully it gets done and dusted by this Friday and we can go from there."