Joe Tapine has confirmed his commitment to the Canberra Raiders, expressing his desire to conclude his professional rugby league career in the capital city. The team’s captain has put an end to speculation about his future by signing a new contract that will keep him with the club until the end of 2028.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Tapine revealed he also has the option to stay with the Green Machine beyond 2028. However, at 35 years old, this deal is likely to be his final contract in the sport. “You’re not going to be in the game forever, and it’s the club I care about. You’ve got to leave it in a good spot,” he said.
Tapine highlighted personal reasons for his decision, including his family. “I have two beautiful kids and my wife wants to raise our kids here. So that’s a huge part of why I signed.”
Reflecting on his journey with the Raiders, Tapine shared how far he has come. “When I first signed with Canberra, I was probably at the stage of my career where I didn’t know if I would be a long-term player or even play much. But to be where I am, I’m pretty proud of myself.”
Now, the focus for Tapine and the Raiders is on reversing their recent struggles. The team, who were minor premiers last year, are currently sitting 15th on the ladder after winning just once in their opening four games of the season. Their latest loss came against Cronulla, where they fell 34-22. Coach Ricky Stuart described the side as “self-destructive” following a series of penalties and errors.
Tapine acknowledged the challenges ahead but emphasized a positive mindset. “When you’re at this level, I want to say (the ladder position) doesn’t get me nervous. It makes you play a bit harder,” he said. “I feel that if I’m the guy giving away a lot of penalties, I’ve got to work on that individually.”
Centre Simi Sasagi believes the team’s current position does not reflect their effort and is confident that improving discipline and reducing penalties is achievable. “It’s (discipline) really exciting because it’s something that we can control,” Sasagi said. “It’s still early. It’s round five. We still want to build on the style of footy we want to play.”
The Raiders face a tough challenge this weekend when they take on Newcastle, who are coming off a 24-16 victory over Canterbury. The match promises to test the team’s resolve as they look to climb the ladder and regain their form.
