Canberra Raiders enforcer Josh Papa excited by prospect of joining Wayne Bennett's State of Origin world

The Canberra Raiders prop said Bennett's appointment as Maroons coach was massive as they look to end a two-series losing streak - although the 28-year-old was non-committal when asked whether he was happy to spend six weeks in an Origin bubble.

At the moment, Papalii's focus is purely on the grand final rematch against the Sydney Roosters in the NRL semi-final at the SCG on Friday where he's set to play a crucial role in Canberra's chances of progressing to the preliminary final against the Melbourne Storm.

Papalii has fond memories of the SCG, where he put the Green Machine on his back and carried them over the line against the reigning premiers.

It meant the Raiders are one of only three teams to beat the Roosters on the hallowed turf since the reigning premiers returned to playing home games there in 2019.

Papalii's arguably the best prop in the game and should be one of the first names Bennett picks after his efforts in his 15 Origins.

He felt South Sydney mentor Bennett was an excellent appointment, with the master coach returning for his fourth stint in charge of the Cane Toads.

"Massive. I don't think I've met Wayne before. I'm actually looking forward to it if I get picked," Papalii said.

"Hopefully Wayne approves of the way I've been playing and I'm honestly that excited to meet him. I can't wait."

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But Papalii was less committal when asked about spending another six weeks inside an Origin bubble.

He's been in the NRL bubble since March and would have to head into another one for the three-game series, which starts at the Adelaide Oval on November 4.

"This year's just been a funny year. It's all worth it if we're making the GF again. When that time comes [for Origin] we'll assess it when it comes," Papalii said.

He felt he took a little while to get going in the Raiders' 32-20 victory over Cronulla on Saturday after he was rested in the final round of the regular season.

But he said he would also take some confidence from beating the Roosters on their home patch in round 10 - to join the Melbourne Storm and South Sydney Rabbitohs as the only teams to beat them there over the past two seasons.

It was an especially good win given the Raiders had only just lost Josh Hodgson (knee) for the season and were also without John Bateman, Sia Soliola, Corey Horsburgh, Emre Guler, Curtis Scott and Bailey Simonsson.

"Personally you've got to take a little bit. They had their full squad and we were missing a lot of important people at that time, but that's just the way 2020 has been," Papalii said.

"It's been unpredictable. We've just got to play some good footy, keep the ball and play, hold the ball and hopefully score some points."

NRL SEMI-FINAL

Canberra Raiders v Sydney Roosters at the SCG, likely to be Friday 7.50pm.