Friday, Mt Smart Stadium, 6.30pm
Referee: Tony Archer

The Warriors turned the finals series on its ear when they became the first eighth-ranked to beat the minor premiers in NRL history last weekend. They took the game to Melbourne in a very positive manner and the Storm didn't adjust well enough to handle that. It was a tremendous performance by the Warriors and one that must give them great heart going into this game. The situation they find themselves in, with a short turnaround of just five days between games, is obviously less than ideal, but on the positive side they are playing at home. Consider that a loss would have meant a long turnaround - right until the start of next season - and you can assume they would be feeling no pain.

It has reached desperation stage for the Roosters. They limped towards the end of the regular season, only just making sure of a top-four spot when they beat St George Illawarra in the last round. Then, they opened their finals campaign by coming out with all guns blazing at home against Brisbane, but couldn't keep it up for 80 minutes and after leading 16-8 at halftime they were reeled in and beaten, 24-16. The Roosters have got the forwards to compete with the Warriors up front, but they need more from their young halfback, Mitchell Pearce, if they are going to stay alive by winning this game. It has been a long, hard season for Pearce and he has looked a bit worn down recently. He needs to lift now, so that the Roosters aren't left with five-eighth Braith Anasta as their only dangerous point of attack. The Roosters also need second-rower Anthony Tupou to bring his best game and create danger by running on to the ball a couple of passes wide of the ruck. The Roosters are capable of winning, but they are the team that has to improve. The Warriors have got momentum, and deserve favouritism at home.

WARRIORS: Lance Hohaia, Aiden Kirk, Brent Tate, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei, Michael Witt, Nathan Fien, Ruben Wiki, Ian Henderson, Steve Price (capt), Simon Mannering, Ben Matulino, Micheal Luck. Interchange: Grant Rovelli, Evarn Tuimavave, Sam Rapira, Logan Swann.

ROOSTERS: Anthony Minichiello, Brent Grose, Setaimata Sa, Sia Soliola, Sam Perrett, Braith Anasta (capt), Mitchell Pearce, Mark O'Meley, James Aubusson, Lopini Paea, Nate Myles, Anthony Tupou, Craig Fitzgibbon. Interchange: Mickey Paea, David Shillington, Anthony Cherrington, Mitchell Aubusson.