KEY POINTS:
Why change a winning team?
That would be the thinking behind Brad Fittler's decision to stick with the 17 Roosters who beat the table-topping Storm 26-16 as well as the reasoning for his old teammate Ivan Cleary who has stuck with the same Warriors side that thrashed the
Knights 54-16.
The Roosters have named Kiwi Sia Soliola as 18th man but there is no guarantee he will play as he recovers from a fractured eye socket he received three weekends ago. He faces a fitness test later in the week. Otherwise no changes are forecast for the game at Aussie Stadium on Sunday.
Fittler takes in the only 100 per cent coaching record in the NRL with three wins from three since taking over from Chris Anderson.
They have beaten Cronulla 23-12 at home, Newcastle 20-17 away and the win over the Storm, which is clearly the best given the other two sides are out of the running for the finals.
After that third victory last Friday he put the turnaround down to everyone playing for each other, everyone contributing and a bit of luck too.
Cleary said yesterday: "The 17 we've been using have done a terrific job for us lately. The performance against Newcastle was pleasing but we now face one of the toughest games we'll have against the Roosters. They have some real momentum and we'll have to step up another level again on Sunday."
The Warriors have scored 124 points and conceded 42 in their last three wins (Dragons 44-16, Tigers 28-16, Knights 52-10). Last year they beat the Roosters twice, 22-12 in Sydney and 42-16 in Auckland.
Stadium Australia, 4pm Sunday
ROOSTERS
1. Sam Perrett
2. Amos Roberts
3. Mitchell Aubusson
4. Joel Monaghan
5. John Williams
6. Braith Anasta
7. Craig Wing
8. David Shillington
9. Heath L'Strange
10. Lopini Paea
11. Anthony Tupou
12. Craig Fitzgibbon
13. Ashley Harrison
Reserves: Danny Nutley, Nate Myles, Setiamta Sa, Shane Shackleton, Iosaia Soliola.
NZ WARRIORS
1. Wade McKinnon
2. Michael Crockett
3. Jerome Ropati
4. Simon Mannering
5. Manu Vatuvei
6. Micheal Witt
7. Grant Rovelli
8. Sam Rapira
9. George Gatis
10. Steve Price (c)
11. Ruben Wiki
12. Logan Swann
13. Micheal Luck
Reserves: Wairangi Koopu, Evarn Tuimavave, Epalahame Lauaki, Nathan Fien, Lance Hohaia.
