Scary Canberra NRL forwards can get better

Apr 12, 2017 - 8:33 AM Already one of the NRL's most explosive right-edge combinations, Joey Leilua and Jordan Rapana's competitive streak is driving their rise.

The "Leipana" pairing has played just 36 games for Canberra but are already leaving a mark.

This NRL season alone the duo has combined for 11 tries and six assists in the opening six rounds.

They will be aiming to carry momentum from last week's win over Gold Coast, a game in which Rapana bagged a hat-trick, to Saturday's match against the Warriors at GIO Stadium.

Veteran Raiders forward Sia Soliola has been in awe of how they've clicked.

"They're constantly challenging each other, that's why they get the best out of each other," Soliola said.

"Every single day whether it be a small game of rock, paper, scissors or a game of golf."

Soliola said their style and attitude had been contagious throughout the Raiders' camp with players pushing each other.

"You see big Papa (Josh Papalii) and big Junior (Paulo) out there doing their little extras with (Shannon) Boydy," he said.

"Everyone's keeping each other accountable and making it fun as well which is great to see here."

With a relatively short time together the question for Rapana, 27, and Leilua, 25, is how much can they improve?

"Their stats and what they produce on the field, it speaks for itself," Soliola said.

"It's just mind-blowing what they can do and it's scary that at this time of year they're producing all that stuff.

"It's scary what they're going to do later on."

While the Raiders posses a significant arsenal in attack, with Kieran Foran in the halves the Warriors have boosted their own creativity and travel to Canberra also coming off back-to-back victories.

"I think (Foran's) helped out all the other guys - Shaun Johnson, Issac Luke and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck," Soliola said.

"He adds a composure to the Warriors team which is always a dangerous thing for oppositions."

LEIPANA - THE STORY SO FAR

* 2017 - six games, 11 tries

* 2016 - 25 games, 35 tries

* 2015 - five games, two tries.

Source: AAP