Dave Taylor is one step closer to returning to the NRL after escaping a conviction or community service order for his role in the Gold Coast drug controversy.

The Canberra Raiders will get a chance to test their premiership credentials in the opening two weeks of the season when they play the last two NRL champions in a brutal start to their campaign.

The Raiders will wait to hear from Dave Taylor and the NRL integrity unit before making a decision on the forward's NRL future.

The Canberra Raiders are back at training after a longer break than usual but five-eighth Blake Austin says the lay-off "has been a little bit too long" for his liking.

Jarrod Croker expects Shannon Boyd to return as a leader of the pack after representing Australia.

Canberra rugby league officials are preparing to build a pathway for female players to pursue their national ambitions by creating a women's competition in the capital.

Canberra Raiders captain Jarrod Croker says Dave Taylor need not say a word to try and convince his potential teammates he deserves another NRL shot - his actions will do the talking.

The Raiders put the final piece of 2017 puzzle in place by signing hooker.

The Canberra Raiders get an early look at the North Queensland Cowboys having drawn the 2015 NRL premiers in their pool for the Auckland Nines on February 4-5.

It's the video that will have Green Machine fans licking their lips – Dave Taylor sweating up a storm ahead of Canberra Raiders' pre-season as he looks to earn an NRL contract.

Sam Thaiday's surgery opens the door for Canberra Raiders big bopper Shannon Boyd to return to the Kangaroos side for the Four Nations final against New Zealand in Liverpool on Monday morning.

ACT Brumbies flanker Jarrad Butler grew up with "little shocks every now and then", but he was thankful nothing as big as what hit his home town of Wellington on Monday.

It's "neither here nor there" for Ricky Stuart, but the Canberra Raiders coach expects Dave Taylor will be "hungry to succeed" when he joins the NRL club's pre-season because "it's his last crack".

Canberra Raiders prop Shannon Boyd is "very unlucky" not to have made Australia coach Mal Meninga's XVII to play England in the final round robin game of the Four Nations.

Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart says the NRL club has "outgrown" its Bruce headquarters.

The Canberra Raiders are "frustrated" by the NRL's continual round one snubbing.

Canberra Raiders prop Joe Tapine might be on the verge of making his international debut, but Dean Pay says we've only had a "taste of what he can do" and he'll become "one hell of a player".

While he's been busily bolstering his forward pack, Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart says he doesn't need to do similar with his backs.

David Shillington jokes he'll have to "eat as much as he can at the buffet" when he faces the Raiders in 2017.