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Raiders back star fullback's replacement

Fraser BartonAAP
Former Penrith fullback Caleb Aekins will make his Canberra debut against the Eels in round six.
Camera IconFormer Penrith fullback Caleb Aekins will make his Canberra debut against the Eels in round six. Credit: AAP

With only 12 NRL appearances to his name Caleb Aekins has the tough ask of filling the shoes of Canberra's fullback role, left vacant by star Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.

23-year old Aekins was signed by the Raiders on a one-year deal in 2021, after being stuck behind Dylan Edwards and Daine Laurie at Penrith.

He will replace Nicoll-Klokstad for Saturday's clash with Parramatta as the New Zealander could be out for up to two months after failing a HIA in their loss to Penrith and suffering a neck injury.

Aekins, who exploded onto the NRL scene in 2018, running for 303 metres in his debut, the most by any player on debut in history, now faces the most crucial two months of his young NRL career.

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He has the opportunity to cement himself in the No.1 role, and his teammates have nothing but confidence in him.

"It's great mate, he is a natural fullback and he's been putting in the hard work over the pre-season," five-eighth Jack Wighton said.

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"It's always a big loss losing Charnze but having quality like this come in and take the field for us is good."

Hooker Josh Hodgson took a similar stance, saying the young fullback has showed his quality both in training and the NSW Cup.

"As soon as he (Ricky Stuart) mentioned Caleb we were all on board, he's played NRL before and he's really impressed us this pre-season," Hodgson said.

"It just gives you that confidence, that's what you need when you're in your defensive line ... you need confidence in the bloke behind you putting people in the right spots.

"He's certainly got some skills, he can play a number of positions and shows you what a good footy brain he must have."

"Just how he conducts himself and how safe he is at the back in training and in games in NSW Cup, really looking forward to him making his debut for the club."

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