Raiders star Joe Tapine stranded in Denver
The Canberra Raiders are set to be without Joe Tapine for another day after an electrical storm left the New Zealand back-rower stranded in Denver.
Tapine will have just four days to shake off jet lag and prepare for an NRL showdown but is set to be named by Raiders coach Ricky Stuart to face the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
The Kiwi squad was expected to fly home on Monday (AEST) but a storm knocked out a control tower at Denver Airport and caused mass flight delays.
The squad's flight to San Francisco was cancelled and they were left with no other options that would allow them to connect with a flight to Sydney.
Tapine and other Australian-based Kiwi players will now fly to Los Angeles before linking up with a flight to Sydney, while the New Zealand Warriors contingent will head to Auckland.
The Raiders star had checked into an airport hotel with the rest of the Kiwis squad with an eye on flying out of Denver on Tuesday (AEST).
It is a massive headache for the Green Machine and rugby league officials with the Denver Test's future in jeopardy due to travel issues and financial concerns.
Some clubs are opposed to the venture but more internationals are due to be played in the United States between over the next two years. The United States will host the Rugby League World Cup in 2025.
Fellow Raiders forward Elliott Whitehead had no such worries after he put together a man of the match performance in the Test, arriving back in Canberra on Monday.