'Bit too far mate': Raiders hooker Tom Starling clips journalist over 'rat' claim

Tom Starling has fired back at a reporter for going "too far" into claims about a possible "rat" leaking information from inside the Raiders camp to rival teams ahead of the finals.

Mind games are not uncommon leading into the major finals battles, but it seems the intimidation tactics between the Raiders and Broncos have reached a new level.

The Courier Mail reported Brisbane were receiving inside details about the fitness of Josh Papalii after it was confirmed the veteran prop had suffered an ankle injury.

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Papalii is set to be monitored and assessed ahead of the game, with the club hopeful he will be fit to return to feature in the 2025 finals series.

While the fitness of Papalii was a major talking point in the Canberra players' pre-match press conferences on Friday, so was reports of a rumoured leak inside the club.

"There's no rats here ... that's all just exterior noise," Starling said of the report.

"We're a tight-knit group here, we don't worry about all that stuff."

It was then Starling's press conference took a turn as one reporter responded to the comment and said, "Isn't that exactly what a rat would say?"

Starling snapped back: "You calling me a rat? That's a bit too far mate."

Hudson Young also did not shy away from dismissing claims of a rat in camp, admitting that such reports are just "all part of" the atmosphere and energy of the finals.

"The mind games, that's all part of it before finals and big games like that," Young said.

"Everyone's got something to say. Media, players, coaches ... it's all part of it.

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"At the end of the day, there are 17 blokes that take to the field that will be fit, firing and ready to go.

"It was a legit injury and hopefully Papa is ready to play because he is a player that we need out there."

Canberra will face the Brisbane Broncos at GIO Stadium on Sunday afternoon.