Raiders anoint player to step into Rapana’s shoes

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Raiders anoint player to step into Rapana’s shoes

There’ll only ever be one Jordan Rapana, but Xavier Savage has been backed as the man to fill his spot as Canberra’s ball of energy in 2025 and beyond.

Rapana achieved cult hero status at the Raiders across 214 games and came to embody the character of the team under coach Ricky Stuart – physical, passionate and a little bit rogue.

But the 35-year-old’s move to Super League side Hull FC has meant for the first time since 2013, the Raiders will run out this weekend without Rapana on their roster.

Not that Rapana’s exit has stopped him from unleashing his trademark aggression on the English Super League.

“I watched his first game and he was playing against some of his best mates, Elliott (Whitehead) and (Nick) Cotric, and he wanted to take their heads off,” former Raiders teammate Jarrod Croker told AAP.

For Saturday’s season opener against the Warriors in Las Vegas, Kaeo Weekes has been listed to step into the fullback spot where Rapana played 13 of his 18 games last year.

On the wings, Rapana’s other position of choice, the Raiders have named Savage and inexperienced recruit Savelio Tamale, as Albert Hopoate remains home for his child’s birth.

But emulating Rapana’s win-at-all costs approach to the game will also be of pressing concern to a Raiders side relying on young spine players Weekes and Ethan Strange to step up this year.

“You just can’t coach competitiveness,” Croker said.

“(Rapana) goes to training, he mucks about, and then he gets on that field and he’s the ultimate competitor.”

Club legend Croker continues to work with the Raiders as a goalkicking consultant and mentor to the outside backs.

In Rapana’s absence he’s been impressed by 22-year-old Savage, whose flowing mullet and recent proposal in Las Vegas have him on the way to his own cult hero status.

“Xavier Savage is the one who’s really stepped up with that aggression and his carries. That’s what we’ve seen from Rapa, his competitive and aggressive nature,” Croker said.

“(Centres) Matty Timoko, Sebby Kris, they’ve played around Rapa a lot and I’m sure they learned a lot off him as well.

“There’s only one Rapa, as well.

“A lot of the boys that are here have played with Rapa and if some of that competitive nature can rub off on them, it’ll go a long way.”

Croker played 150 of his 307 NRL games alongside Rapana and has remained in close contact with the New Zealander since his move to Hull.

On the field, Croker says he has “thousands” of memories of Rapana’s mercurial brilliance, including his memorable combination with former Raiders centre Joey Leilua, and his role on the charge to the 2019 grand final.

There’s one particular image of Rapana that will stay with Croker forever.

“He used to play competition golf on game day at 8 o’clock, and then rock up to the game with his golf sticks half hanging out the car. Then he’d come out and score three tries,” Croker said.

“He was just ridiculous.”

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