Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce is looking forward to the challenge of trying to stop the Tigers' rampaging forward Gareth Ellis in tomorrow's NRL clash at the Sydney Football Stadium.
The British test second-rower has been one of the pivotal figures in the resurgent Tigers' four-match winning streak, which has pushed them into finals contention.
While Pearce identified playmakers Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah as the major threats to his side, he was wary of the challenge Ellis posed to the Roosters and to him personally.
"That Gareth Ellis has been playing awesome and I think he will be running at me all day," said Pearce.
"He's a big man and he's got plenty of skill as well.
"I enjoy defending, it's a good little challenge. If I can defend well it sort of sets the game up.
"Their forward pack has been playing awesome. [Keith] Galloway is back for his second game and that's going to give them more go-forward, so they are certainly going to be tough."
Pearce said the shock selection of regular fullback Anthony Minichello at five-eighth for the Roosters was "a bit of a surprise", but he tipped the injury-prone veteran to handle the unfamiliar role with aplomb.
"He's a classy player and you look at most of the five-eighths in the game at the moment, and most of them are ball runners anyway," Pearce said.
"I'm sure 'Mini' will just support and quick-play the balls and I think he will do a good job."
The Roosters are locked in a grim battle with the Sharks for the wooden spoon, with just for and against differential separating the two stragglers.
Pearce was hoping the Roosters could build on the form they showed in their upset win over Newcastle last week.
While the Roosters have struggled throughout the season, Pearce believed the side's attitude had lifted appreciably in recent weeks.
"I think the attitude has been pretty good since our first bye two months ago, before that I don't think it was acceptable, we weren't playing very well at all," Pearce said.
He felt a strong end to the season would provide departing coach Brad Fittler with some consolation.
"I'm sure a good end to the season isn't going to take away all his disappointment, but it's certainlygoing to take him away with a bit of pride."
- AAP
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