By George Clarke in Sydney
VETERAN Canberra winger Jordan Rapana has been rewarded for his stellar start to 2023, agreeing to a one-year NRL contract extension with the Green Machine.
The 33-year-old, who has six tries in five games so far this campaign, is joined by fellow winger Albert Hopoate in settling new terms with the club.
Hopoate, the son of fomer Manly winger John Hopoate, has signed a deal to keep him in the nation’s capital until the end of 2025.
A schoolboy prodigy who struggled with injury, 22-year-old Hopoate has blossomed at Canberra and is currently keeping two-cap Australian winger Nick Cotric out of the Raiders side.
Rapana will have the chance to become just the 14th player to feature in 200 first grade games for Canberra.
The Kiwi international has played 181 times for the Raiders and is stuck on 99 NRL tries ahead of Sunday’s home game against Manly.
“At my age form plays a big part of re-signing and I want to keep playing well,” Rapana said.
“We’ve still got a long season ahead of us and we’re hitting some form and I’m looking forward to finishing this season strong and then carrying that into next year.”
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