Now his three worlds will collide when he runs out for the Canberra Raiders winger's native New Zealand against Australia at Canberra Stadium on Friday night.

Rapana was born in Wellington, but moved to the Gold Coast as a child and qualified to play for the Kiwis and the Kangaroos.

He chose his country of birth and made his New Zealand debut last year in the lead-up to the Four Nations.

But the last time the Anzac Test was played at Canberra Stadium - for Canberra's centenary - Rapana had just moved to the ACT and was trying to break into the ACT Brumbies' Super Rugby squad.

He met up with family friend Sam Perrett and school-friend Kevin Proctor, who both played for the Kiwis in 2013.

The 27-year-old has since joined the Raiders and become one of the best wingers in the NRL, currently sitting equal top on the try scoring table.

He said he pinches himself whenever he thinks about his journey that leads to the Anzac Test.

"I always do. I really step back and appreciate all the opportunities and doors that have opened up for me," Rapana told Fairfax Media.

"It's pretty overwhelming considering where I was a few years ago.

"I remember when I first moved to Canberra in 2013, the Anzac Test was on that year and I met up with a few of the players there and would never have thought in another three or four years time that I'd be in their shoes playing in an Anzac Test in Canberra.

"It's crazy how times change and doors open, but I'm grateful and count my blessings.

"???I was playing with the Brumbies then and went along and saw the boys at the hotel in Canberra and four years later I'm in camp as one of the players. It's pretty cool, pretty funny."

With the Rugby League World Cup coming up at the end of the year, Rapana has set himself the goal of establishing himself in the Kiwis side.

That shouldn't be a problem, having developed into not only one of the best finishers in the game, but also one of the toughest and hardest-working wingers as well.

Rapana sees Friday night as the perfect chance to put one hand on a World Cup jersey.

"It's a goal of mine this year is to try and cement a spot in this Kiwi side. I just need to be playing well club-wise and let the rest take of itself," he said.

"It's a big game this Friday and I think if I play well and keep playing consistently for the Raiders then hopefully I can keep that spot at the end of the year.

"This week will be a good week too because it's back home in Canberra. It'll be good to play back home."

He's the only Raiders player running out for the Test after both Josh Papalii (suspended) and Shannon Boyd (lower leg) were ruled out.

Rapana joked he was glad the pair weren't playing as he wasn't looking forward to running into the power forwards.

"[It's] probably a good thing. I wouldn't want to be running or tackling those big fellas. As long as they get rested up and be raring to go [for the Raiders] that's our main objective anyway," he said.

"We really want to win a premiership so hopefully I can get through this game injury free and back ready for the Raiders."

ANZAC TEST

Friday: Australia Kangaroos v New Zealand Kiwis at Canberra Stadium, 8pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.

Kangaroos squad: 1. Darius Boyd 2. Blake Ferguson 3. Will Chambers 4. Josh Dugan 5. Valentine Holmes 6. Johnathan Thurston 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Cameron Smith 10. David Klemmer 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Matt Gillett 13. Trent Merrin. Interchange: 14. Michael Morgan 15. Tyson Frizell 16. Jake Trbojevic 17. Sam Thaiday. Reserves: 18. Jordan McLean 19. James Maloney 20. Justin O'Neill.

New Zealand squad: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Jordan Kahu, Jordan Rapana, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, David Fusitu'a, Dean Whare, Kieran Foran, Shaun Johnson, Kodi Nikorima, Jason Taumalolo, Simon Mannering, Kevin Proctor, Kenny Bromwich, Jesse Bromwich (c), Adam Blair, Elijah Taylor, Martin Taupau, Russell Packer, Issac Luke, Brandon Smith.