Former Kangaroos Jason Smith and Matt Adamson have arrived in the nation's capital to bolster the Canberra Raiders for the 2005 season.

Smith and Adamson, both 32, were recruited from the British Super League to add talent and experience to the youthful Raiders lineup.

Smith, a veteran of 13 Origin games for Queensland and 16 Tests for Australia, had been playing for Hull and is confident he can cast aside two injury-riddled seasons to play an important role.

"I'd been injured a bit in the past two years, but I felt like I still wanted to play," said Smith.

"I wanted to come home. Four years is a long time to be away from family and friends. We were ready to come home and if there was no NRL club ready to pick me up I would have retired."

Adamson, who played two Origins for NSW and 5 Super League Tests for Australia, was part of the premiership-winning Leeds Rhinos.

The former Penrith second-rower had resigned himself to finishing his career in the UK but, after some helpful advice from his father, accepted the Raiders' offer for an NRL swansong.

"When the opportunity came up in mid-June it was something I started to think about. I saw it as a tremendous challenge and I thought I'd take it with both hands," said Adamson.

"I wouldn't have taken the challenge on if I didn't think I had something to offer."

While the two newcomers will add strength to the Raiders pack, left bare following post season departures of Ruben Wiki and Luke Davico, Smith could slot into the backline reigniting his playmaking flair.

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