Kiwi international Jordan Rapana will rejoin Canberra’s top squad on Monday for the rest of the 2020 season.
The coronavirus pandemic that has shut down rugby league for the past six weeks has resulted in the Raiders grand final winger returning home from Japanese rugby union, where he had signed for the Panasonic Wild Knights under former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.
Canberra are yet to make an official announcement, but NRL.com understands a short-term deal for the remainder of this year’s competition is being finalised.
The 30-year-old will link once more with his old teammates when they return to Raiders HQ on Monday for biosecurity briefings.
Rapana scored 68 tries for the club across six seasons, and represented New Zealand 11 times at Test level, before departing after last year’s grand final loss to the Roosters.
Last time they met: Bulldogs v Raiders - Round 12, 2019
He has spoken openly of his desire to return to the NRL both leading into his departure for Japan and since returning to the ACT earlier this year.
NRL.com understands Rapana fielded interest from Sydney-based rivals as well but has always made a Canberra comeback his first preference.