Rapana is a no-show for fans of Canberra

CANBERRA winger Jordan Rapana was a no-show at the Raiders’ post-nrl grand final fan day following their heartbreaking loss to the Sydney Roosters.

Rapana has been linked with a switch to Japanese rugby union but said after losing the premiership decider on Sunday that he wanted to stay with the Green Machine.

However, he was the only player missing as the squad assembled for more than 1000 Raiders fans at their leagues club yesterday.

Club officials joked on stage that Rapana was “somewhere between Sydney and Canberra”.

The Raiders, who played in their first grand final in 25 years this season, look set to lose the off-contract New Zealand international.

Canberra will sit down with Dally M second-rower of the year and England international John Bateman in the coming weeks to talk about upgrading his contract.

Bateman was embroiled in controversy during grand final week after a report surfaced that he would leave the club if he didn’t get a pay rise following his debut NRL season.

“It made a headline for something that wasn’t even there. There’s only one place I want to be and I’ve said it from day one – I want to be here,” Bateman said.

It’s understood the Raiders also won’t stand in the way of centre Joey Leilua or halfback Aidan Sezer if they field offers from rival clubs.

Clive Churchill medallist and five-eighth Jack Wighton was one of three Raiders named in Mal Meninga’s Australian Kangaroos squad, along with Josh Papalii and winger Nick Cotric.

“(To have three Kangaroos is) massive, it’s obviously something we haven’t been lucky enough to get the last couple of years,” Raiders captain Jarrod Croker said.

“To see those guys get their opportunity, it’s a credit to the boys and the whole club.”

- AAP