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Canberra Raiders winger Jordan Rapana says he will continue to back his attacking instincts but admits the harsh lesson of a heartbreaking defeat last week will bring more balance to his last-minute flair.
The Raiders trained in New Plymouth on Wednesday after making the trek across the Tasman in preparation for a clash against the New Zealand Warriors on Saturday.
It will be a homecoming of sorts for Rapana as 20 of his family and friends have travelled from Wellington to New Plymouth to watch him play.
Rapana has declared his representative allegiance to New Zealand despite also being eligible to play for Queensland in State of Origin.
But the try-scoring speedster says his only focus is on a massive chance for the Raiders to get redemption and restore mid-year momentum after back-to-back narrow losses.
Rapana was at the centre of the drama in a golden-point loss to the St George Illawarra Dragons last week, flicking a pass to Jack Wighton after the first-half siren in extra time before Wighton threw a game-ending intercept.
The Raiders have been urged to continue taking risks as they aim to rise up the NRL ladder, but Rapana concedes he will make more calculated decisions when the game is on the line.
"[Coach Ricky Stuart] didn't have to say anything to us, we were gutted after what happened against the Dragons," Rapana said.
"With the back line we've got, we're really competitive and I would honestly back ourselves nine times out of 10 to pull something off like we were trying.
"Obviously I didn't see an intercept coming, I thought we could score and back our back line to pull something off like that.
"Now that I look back the smart option was to play it safe. I think we've got the players to take those risks and what I learnt from that was the experience and next time I'll weigh it up."
Rapana has emerged as a representative candidate this year as he recaptures career-best form with nine tries in the first 10 games of the year.
He has been one of the Raiders' most consistent performers and is banging on the door of New Zealand selectors for a Test call-up at the end of the year.
The 26-year-old was born in New Zealand but moved to Australia when he was five and he is eligible for State of Origin if selected.
"I'm still eligible for both but to be honest my heart is in the Kiwi jersey ... even growing up in Australia I was always doing the haka when a Kiwi game was on," Rapana said.
"When I signed for the Raiders I put down that I was New Zealand eligible, that's my goal and hopefully I can achieve it one day.
"Origin is massive as well. But I've always wanted to wear the black and white jersey of New Zealand. As long as I play well for the Raiders and do my job here, any rep jersey I put on is a bonus."
Stuart has made just one injury-forced change to his starting side for the match against the unpredictable Warriors.
Luke Bateman moves from the bench to lock to replace Shaun Fensom, while Jeff Lima is back on the Green Machine's reserves list after missing the past six games with a fractured hand.
The Raiders have lost three games by four points or less this year, including a golden-point loss to the Dragons when Wighton's pass was intercepted and a one-point heartbreaker against the Penrith Panthers.
"This is a big game for both teams, they're going to be pretty fired up for this one so we have to make sure we match that and have more enthusiasm," Rapana said.
"It's frustrating with those close losses we've had, but the confidence has been there from the start of the season and we just have to keep putting ourselves in good situations and it will turn our way."
Rapana said he was deflated after playing a hand in the loss to the Dragons, but is intent on making amends this weekend.
"We have definitely learnt our lesson out of that and we walked back into the change rooms and felt like we let the team down," Rapana said.
NRL ROUND 11
Saturday: New Zealand Warriors v Canberra Raiders at Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth, 5.30pm. TV time: Live on Fox Sports 1
Raiders team: 1. Jack Wighton 2. Edrick Lee 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Joey Leilua 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Blake Austin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Shannon Boyd 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Josh Papalii 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Luke Bateman 14. Kurt Baptiste 15. Jeff Lima 16. Clay Priest 17. Joseph Tapine 18. Sam Williams 19. Frank-Paul Nuuausala
