Inspirational Canberra forward Ruben Wiki hasn't given up hope of miraculously playing in Sunday's NRL qualifying final against the Sydney Roosters - and he's slowly making a believer of coach Matthew Elliott.

Wiki, who suffered an ankle injury against South Sydney last weekend, was initially expected to miss a minimum of three weeks.

However, his improvement has been rapid and Wiki attempted to run on Friday at Canberra's training headquarters for the first time since suffering the injury.

The New Zealand international wasn't able to stretch out - Elliott quipped he could have beaten Wiki - but for the first time the Canberra coach conceded the second rower could play at Aussie Stadium.

"There's a slight hope," Elliott said.

"I admire him for having a shot. But you never know. Who knows what happens overnight with a bit of kava and ice?

"I wouldn't rule him out completely."

Wiki, who will join the New Zealand Warriors next season, has been undergoing intensive physiotherapy on the ankle and received a cortisone injection.

"We'll see what happens," Wiki said.

"I have a couple of days to go. We'll see how it goes."

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