On paper it looks like a one-sided contest, but according to Roosters co-captain Boyd Cordner, Saturday's match against the ever-improving Wests Tigers looms as a danger game heading into the finals.
The Tricolours are coming off an encouraging loss to the table-topping Storm and will head into their Round 24 encounter 16 competition points clear of Ivan Cleary's side, but Roosters players are wary of an ambush in what's been a season defined by stunning upsets.
You only have to look at last week's come-from-behind win over the Sea Eagles to appreciate the Tigers' late-season resolve, and while they have a terrible record against the Roosters – they've lost nine on the trot – they'll come out firing as they aim to avoid the wooden spoon.
"This NRL competition is so close and so tight and the Tigers showed that on the weekend," Cordner said.
"Some say that they don't have much to play for but they've got a lot to, I think, especially with wanting to finish off the year well and getting that momentum going into next year. They're always a quality side – especially when they play against us – so we're going to have to prepare well and build on what we started last week.
"The Tigers have some great individual players there like (James) Tedesco, (Aaron) Woods and (Luke) Brooks as well, so they're a quality side and they can beat anyone on their day. They'll be looking to finish the year on a good note and we're going to have to be really good if we want to win."
Just to add a bit of extra spice to the affair, the Roosters will have to find a way to stop star fullback James Tedesco who is set to be their teammate next season after he signed a four-year-deal to join the Tricolours starting in 2018.
"I don't want him to do his knee or anything like that; we need him for the pre-season!" Blues teammate Mitchell Pearce quipped.
"He's one that we have to stop this week because he's such a good player so it's going to be a good test."
This article first appeared on NRL.COM
