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Brisbane Broncos

Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs

Canberra Raiders

Viking-clapping their way deep into the NRL Finals, Canberra Raiders enjoyed strong contributions from their #KiwiNRL contingent and they'll be looking for the likes of Jordan Rapana and Joseph Tapine to keep that trajectory heading north. The two Wellingtonians busted their way into the Kiwis squad for the Four Nations and will be eager to seal World Cup spots in what will be a stronger Kiwis squad at the end of this year.

How they both fight off more attention on the field and keep offering plenty of impact in running the footy will not only be a very interesting #KiwiNRL storyline, it'll also be crucial to the success of the Raiders. While Rapana enjoyed success playing outside Joey Leilua last season, his real benefit to the Raiders is what he offers further in-field when he's scooting out of dummy half or crabbing across field. He's the king of the tackle busts and along with Jack Wighton and Edrick Lee, they always get the Raiders rolling down the field early in the set.

Rapana will need to keep up his great work from 2015 as the Raiders have Papa New Guinean Kato Ottio waiting for his chance. Any dip in form, an injury or a silly suspension will work against Rapana as there's big praise being heaped on Ottio and he'd snap up any opportunity.

Then Tapine comes into the mix with his athleticism putting him in that Jason Taumalolo/Sio Siua Taukeiaho/Martin Taupau bracket; possibly giving the Kiwis a lethal TTTT threat in the middle. 2016 was Tapine's first decent stint in the middle of the field after playing on the edge in the lower grades and in Newcastle, this shouldn't change too much as the likes of Josh Papalii and Elliott Whitehead will nail down edge spots.

Tapine showed that he can play decent minutes off the bench and he'll probably have to chill on the bench to start the season again, doing a similar job as he did last year.

We didn't get to see to much of Mangere East Hawks junior Jeff Lima during the Raiders' impressive charge into the Finals, which can only be viewed as a positive if you are a Raiders fan. Lima is a fine lad to have in their squad, but if he's playing then it means that Shannon Boyd, Junior Paulo, Iosia Soliola or Tapine is injured or suspended.

Having Lima there is a luxury and a necessity if the Raiders are stay in the NRL's echelon, same with Soliola. Soliola is ranked slightly ahead of Lima as he can play on the edge or through the middle, he's a bit more mobile as well which helps the Raiders cover the middle of the field strongly and pump the ruck area. 

Both Soliola and Lima are veterans in a young forward pack and they are the type of players who do their best work behind the scenes in leading the Raiders' culture in the playing group. Coach Ricky Stuart can rely heavily on both, on and off the field, plus they'll both be eager to pull on the Toa Samoa jersey come World Cup time.

Jordan Rapana will have way more bodies in front of him this season, so can he maintain the same impact?

Joseph Tapine's athleticism will continue to give the Raiders a splash of funk up the guts.

Jeff Lima will stay ready.

Iosia Soliola could start in the No.13 jersey, laying a platform for Tapine's inclusion.