Having come to Canberra as a second-rower, Tapine has mostly played through the middle in his time with the Green Machine, but has slid back out to the edge in recent weeks as part of a revamped forward pack.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart used Tapine in the second row to cover the suspended Josh Papalii against South Sydney and has kept him there since the Queensland star's return, with Elliott Whitehead shifting to lock.

Tapine will face his old club Newcastle at Canberra Stadium on Friday night after playing the first 20 games of his career for the Knights.

The Raiders need to win to keep their faint finals hopes alive as they sit two wins outside the top eight.

"[It's] probably about 60 games I've played now. It's time to really get stuck in and comfortable in the NRL, no excuses about being new and stuff like that," he said.

"I just need to start really pulling my head in ... [and] definitely step up. I don't see myself much as a leader talking wise, but just stepping up my game for the boys.

"Bringing my game up by doing the little things more, instead of just staying the same and being happy and content."

Tapine wasn't happy with his form earlier in the season in the lead-up to the final Anzac Test between Australia and his native New Zealand.

The 23-year-old wasn't part of Kiwis coach David Kidwell's team for the historic clash at Canberra Stadium.

While he was disappointed to miss out after having made his international debut at the Four Nations last year, Tapine understood his omission.

He's used it to drive himself to rediscover last season's form that put him on the New Zealand radar in the first place.

With the World Cup looming at the end of the season, Tapine's been using that as a goal as he tries to help the Green Machine reach their first consecutive finals series since 2004.

"I definitely want to play in that, it's been a big goal I set. I was disappointed I didn't make that Anzac Test side, but I understand that at the same time I wasn't playing my best footy," Tapine said.

"I've been trying for the last couple of months to step up my game so I can allow myself a chance to get picked for the end-of-year team."

The naturally quiet Tapine's been working with Stuart on his communication to help with his switch back to the edge.

He said not as much organisational talk was required when he was running through the middle, whereas now he's making sure he's got the defensive "numbers right" with the men inside.

"When you're in the middle it's more one-out contact, whereas on the edge you've got to mark those fast, quick halves that's pretty much the difference," Tapine said.

"It's more of a positional role as well, when you go back row you've got to talk.

"That first game against Rabbitohs, when I got moved out to the edge, I had to talk more because if I didn't then I'll make myself look stupid on the edge - not organised and stuff.

"I really tried hard to change that. Ricky's been helping me since I got here because I'm not much of a talker."

NRL ROUND 25

Friday: Canberra Raiders v Newcastle Knights at Canberra Stadium, 6pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.

Raiders: 1. Jack Wighton, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Jarrod Croker (c), 4. Joey Leilua, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Blake Austin, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Junior Paulo, 9. Josh Hodgson, 10. Shannon Boyd, 11. Josh Papalii, 12. Joe Tapine, 13. Elliott Whitehead. Interchange: 14. Kurt Baptiste, 15. Clay Priest, 16. Dave Taylor, 17. Luke Bateman. Reserves: 18. Jeff Lima, 19. Erin Clark, 20. Royce Hunt, 21. Michael Oldfield.

Knights: 1. Nathan Ross, 2. Ken Sio, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Peter Mata'utia, 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 6. Jack Cogger, 7. Trent Hodkinson, 8. Daniel Saifiti, 9. Daniel Levi, 10. Josh King, 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 12. Jamie Buhrer, 13. Mitch Barnett. Interchange: 14. Joe Wardle, 15. Mickey Paea, 16. Sam Stone, 17. Jacob Saifiti. Reserves: 18. Brendan Elliot, 19. Pat Mata'utia, 20. Jaelen Feeney, 21. Jack Stockwell.