Canberra fan goes viral for pretending to hit a bong before Viking Clap as Raiders complete tense victory over battling New Zealand Warriors

He just couldn't resist. An unknown Canberra Raiders supporter has won himself a legion of supporters himself after pretending to rip a bong before kick-off in the nation's capital on Friday.

The Raiders were back at home and facing the New Zealand Warriors in a must-win clash at Canberra Stadium and fans were rugged up for the occasion as they prepared for the Viking Clap before kick off.

The Viking clap is a coordinated chant that gained widespread popularity through its association with Icelandic football fans during the UEFA Euro 2016. 

The chant involves participants standing with their hands raised and then clapping in unison, starting slowly and gradually increasing in speed and intensity.

However, as the horn sounded, the Raiders fan realised the camera was trained on him and decided to have a little joke.

He was holding a tin of drink in a stubbie cooler, so he quickly drew it to his lips and then produced a cigarette lighter, pretending to 'light' the can like it was a water pipe or bong.

There is no suggestion the fan was consuming any illegal substances.

Plenty of footy fans cottoned onto his simulated act, though, and were quick to share it across social media platforms.

'Brother in the back was blowing a different horn,' joked one fan.

'The old icebreak saxophone,' posted another.

'Couple hot ones on a cold Canberra night,' added another.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart was full of thanks for the club's loyal supporters sticking with them through a four-game losing streak and the biting ACT cold.

The quality of football on display in the Raiders' 20-18 win over the Warriors was also pretty dismal.

Stuart's men were outscored four tries to three but held on thanks to Warriors' five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita, who endured a shocking night with the boot after first choice goal-kicker Adam Pompey limped off injured.

But the 8,509 fans who braved the polar conditions - apparent temperatures dived below freezing - won't care. For the first time in more than three months they have a home win to celebrate.

'It was freezing out there. I've got to thank those fans,' Stuart said. 'I'm so happy we won for those people because, Jesus, it was freezing. And for those fans - they're your loyal people, they're your loyal ones.'

Since a golden point win over the Titans in round six, way back in April, the Raiders have fallen at home to Cronulla (40-0), the Roosters (44-16), North Queensland (34-16) and Newcastle (16-12).

'We don't try to lose,' Stuart said.

'We've been disappointed we haven't won the last few games at home in front of big crowds. But that was even more satisfying tonight with those people that came tonight. They are dead set, tough, loyal fans and I want to thank them.'

As disappointing as the results have been, more worrying have been the performances, which have not looked like those of a top-eight side.

But recent weeks have shown glimpses of promise.

Canberra came close against the Knights and looked back to their energetic best in the opening quarter stages against the Warriors, racing out to a 14-0 lead, with returning halfback Jamal Fogarty adding much-needed direction in attack.

With three of the Raiders' next five games at home, they will be banking on the Canberra faithful once again turning GIO Stadium into the Viking fortress that has been key to success in more halcyon days.

'I can't sit here and ask people to come to the games,' Stuart said.

'All I can do is just keep trying to prepare the football team to perform as well as we did for the first 30 minutes.'