NRL: Rapira chasing return to Kiwis

Sam Rapira's last memory in a Kiwis jersey was having his thumb dislocated in the opening minute of the 2011 Anzac test. Photo / Getty Images.

Sam Rapira's last memory in a Kiwis jersey was having his thumb dislocated in the opening minute of the 2011 Anzac test.

He hasn't been sighted since in a black-and-white jersey but that might be about to change because he's in the frame for the World Cup squad through a combination of his own good form and injuries to others.

Rapira made his international debut as a 20-year-old in the 2007 Anzac test and was being talked about as a cornerstone of the Kiwis pack for some time, but he has been overtaken in recent times.

It probably didn't help that he pulled out of the 2010 Four Nations tournament for family reasons - he needed to look after his young daughter when his partner was studying for her exams - and withdrew from the 2011 end-of-year tour because of niggling injuries.

With less than three months until the World Cup, Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney is mulling over his 24-man squad. He could take five or six props to the World Cup, depending on the makeup of the remainder of the squad, and has plenty of options even with Penrith front rower Sam McKendry out for the season after fracturing his neck in May.

Ben Matulino, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Jesse Bromwich are certainties, injury notwithstanding, with the likes of Rapira, Sam Moa, Sam Kasiano and Russell Packer vying for the other positions.

"Anyone would want to be involved but it's about trying to do my best here [at the Warriors] and then seeing what happens,'' Rapira said. ``There are a lot of good players going round. If I focus on here, there could be a chance.

"I had a good little run there [in the Kiwis] but all these young guys coming through are setting the tone now. I just have to try to get to their level and things could happen from there.

"In a way [it has been hard not being involved since 2011] but you pick the best and the best are playing and you can't expect to be playing when you're not leading the way. You just accept it.''

The 26-year-old has averaged 88m a game this season but has topped 100m in six of his last eight games as the Warriors' form has improved. He even carried the ball for 161m in 46 minutes against the Broncos in the hard-fought 18-16 win at Mt Smart Stadium and has also chimed in with more than 21 tackles a game.

Moa has also emerged as a strong contender for the World Cup following his impressive performances at the Roosters this season. The 27-year-old was the least heralded of the off-season signings at Bondi Junction - it was always going to be hard to top Sonny Bill Williams, James Maloney, Michael Jennings and Luke O'Donnell - but his performances this season after three years playing for Hull FC in the UK Super League have attracted Kearney's attention.

Moa, who was born in Tonga but grew up in Auckland, played for Tonga at the 2008 World Cup and in April's 34-6 win over Samoa but has indicated his keenness to play for New Zealand at the upcoming World Cup.

"Steve Kearney rang me and told me he would like me to play for the Kiwis which was great to hear'' Moa said recently. ``I've always proudly played for Tonga but my form is going to determine who is going to want me to play for them at the World Cup.''