He's already played three different positions in his first two games in the NRL.
But Canberra recruit John Bateman has no doubt he's up for the challenge of replacing injured international Joseph Tapine in the second row in Friday's match against Newcastle.
Coach Ricky Stuart confirmed on Tuesday that the Raiders will be without Tapine for up to two weeks after he suffered a finger injury last week.
"We'll just hope and wait it's only the one but it might be a couple," Stuart told reporters on Tuesday.
The setback is the latest in spate of hand injuries for New Zealand forward Tapine, who broke a finger and thumb on separate occasions last year.
"He's had some bad luck early in the seasons over the last two to three years," Stuart said.
"He's had a surgery, or a couple of surgeries on fingers and hands. It's been a slow start for him.
"Fortunately it's not as bad as it has been previously."
Stuart will likely lean on Bateman to fill the void in the second row in his third match since he made the move from England's Super League over the summer.
Bateman started in Canberra's two games this season at lock but was forced into deputising in the centres in round one, and then shifted to the back row last week.
Stuart has a number of options but is a fan of Bateman's all-round skills.
"I think of that versatility with a bloke like John Bateman... that certainly is a healthy addition to a squad," Stuart said.
The 25-year-old Bateman has been a revelation for the Raiders over the opening two rounds, including an impressive first-up effort in their win over Gold Coast.
In two games, he has made a team-high 65 tackles in defence and carried the ball for 221 metres and broken six tackles in attack.
"I've probably played most of my career in the back row and probably the right side as well," Bateman said.
"It's (Tapine's unavailability) a big loss for us but I'm looking forward to playing that position."
