He once asked the club's football manager how to become a police officer when frustration hit its highest.

It's those memories that are  motivating Rapana's extraordinary form, which may well put him in the frame for a maiden New Zealand Test jumper against Australia at Newcastle on May 6.

Jason Nightingale and Manu Vatuvei are the incumbent Kiwi wingers from last year's 26-6 win over Australia, while Shaun Kenny-Dowall played in the end-of-season tour of England.

Even after his four-try haul in Saturday's 60-6 thrashing of Wests Tigers Rapana is probably only an outside chance, but wouldn't look out of place in a black and white jersey.

However Rapana confirmed he is also eligible for Queensland, having moved to the Gold Coast when he was about ten years old.

Even mentioning the 26-year-old as a representative candidate is incredible given he took two years off for a Mormon mission, before former Raiders coach David Furner gave him a chance.

"I often reflect on it [past] as it's probably the biggest motivator for me and it's what has got me here today," Rapana said.

"I definitely know what it's like to not have this lifestyle and for me it's important I plays as good as I can week-in, week-out and try and have this career as long as I can.

"I definitely know it's a lot harder working nine to five. I used to work with my old man concreting when I was playing 20s [with Gold Coast], worked nine to five and then went to training.

"It's not something I want to do just yet. I knew I had the ability and just wanted to try and get back into first grade."

Rapana was considered a fringe first-grade selection at the start of the season, but would now be one of the first Raiders picked.

His eagerness to look for work and his strong, energetic carries have been his hallmarks.

Rapana was Wellington-raised but moved to the Gold Coast when he was 10.

He represented Cook Islands in the 2013 World Cup but told rugby league journalist Steve Mascord in August last year that he wants to play for New Zealand.

"I had a call from the manager of the Cook Islands a couple of weeks ago – they've got an end-of-year Test against Tonga," Rapana told rugbyleaguehub.com

"Obviously I'd like to play in that but I'm also Kiwi eligible. I've always wanted to play for the Kiwis.

"Hopefully I get to go on the end-of-season tour [of England last year]. There's Isaac John who played for Cook Islands and the Kiwis as well."

Mal Meninga is the only player to score five tries in a game for the Raiders.

Rapana admitted he was eyeing off emulating the club's biggest name in the second half when his partner-in-crime, Joey Leilua, put him into space.

"I got a break there and I had Joey to pass to, but I tried to kick it for myself and obviously I got taken out and Joey cleaned up the scraps," Rapana said.

"A lot of things went through my mind but I was looking at the try-line and was definitely hungry for it."

Rapana said he's grateful the Raiders showed faith in him and urged to him to persevere when he was considering a career in law enforcement.

"I was coming off contract then but full credit to the club, they've given me every opportunity and Stick [coach Ricky Stuart] has definitely developed me and helped me get the form I'm hitting," he said.

Rapana's right edge combination with centre Leilua, who also scored a double against the Tigers, is developing into one of the more lethal in the NRL.

The pair are great mates and Rapana said it helps on the field.

"We hang out a lot and play a lot of golf together," Rapana said.

"We're always on each other's case to make sure we're killing it and I feel like we're doing a good job for the team there.

"We're a close family [at the Raiders] and if I make an error I know I have 16 boys behind me picking me up.

"That's the attitude we have and if you look at some of the good teams in the competition, that's the attitude we have to have too."

SATURDAY

NRL round nine: Penrith Panthers v Canberra Raiders at Carrington Park, Bathurst, 3pm

Tickets available from Ticketek

TV: Live on Fox Sports 1