The news comes just two days before he plays his first NRL game for six years at fullback against Parramatta in Darwin on Saturday.

Rapana scored five tries in five games as an 18-year-old for Gold Coast Titans in 2008. But the 23-year-old hasn't played since embarking on a two-year Mormon mission in Wales and England, before unsuccessfully attempting to win a Super Rugby contract with ACT Brumbies.

He has been outstanding since been shifted to fullback for Queensland Cup side Souths Logan, winning six man of the match awards.

His re-signing is a rags to riches story after he spent his hiatus doing everything from cutting hair, pulling beers and waiting tables to pay the bills.

Rapana will use his call-up after a six-year absence from the NRL as an audition to prove he deserves the no.1 jersey long term

Rapana isn't in Canberra's top 25 squad, and would have received a call-up sooner had Canberra not used all of its $440,000 second tier salary cap.

He insisted he was always confident he would make it back to the big time, even during his two games for the Queanbeyan Blues before stepping up to NSW Cup.

"Even my first game back with the Blues I knew straight away it [league] is where I wanted to be, and where I felt most comfortable,'' Rapana said.

"I'm just excited, the nerves haven't really hit me yet and I don't feel like I'll be too nervous, I'm just anxious to get out and play back in the NRL.''