NRL: Canberra Raiders' Matt Timoko eyes New Zealand selection for Rugby League World Cup

Timoko was the name on everybody's lips on Wednesday when the club confirmed they had locked in the youngster for another year, extending his current deal to remain in Canberra until the end of the 2025 season.

"This is a club that he gave me the opportunity. I played through the juniors here, so to be able to extend for another couple years, it's the best," Timoko said.

"It's good to get a bit of continuity.

"Over the past couple of years, I've been in and out of the squad and to be able to kind of cement that starting spot, it's been doing wonders for my confidence, working on the game on attack and defence, and I'll hopefully use that confidence this week."

Timoko is having the best season of his career, scoring eight tries in 24 games and among a handful of youth the club have been keen to retain long-term.

"It's a very exciting time for the club, having so many youngsters coming through the ranks," he said.

Next in Timoko's sights is the Rugby League World Cup, and his teammates rate his chances of making his international debut.

"He's been killing it this year and I'd be pretty surprised if he's not in the talks for the Kiwi team at the World Cup," Corey Harawira-Naera said.

The 22-year-old said selection in the side would be an honour not only for himself but for his family, many of whom are still in New Zealand, with just his mum in Canberra.

"It would mean the world to me," he said.

"As a youngster you dream of playing NRL and also representing your country so to be able to get the chance to do that, I'd take it with both hands."

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