THE Tifa Jek Hot Springs Sabeto Roosters will be banking on their experienced players to guide them during the Vodafone Cup Top 8 semi-final against the Fair Trade Makoi Bulldogs at Churchill Park in Lautoka on Saturday.
The defending champions go into the match holding the upper hand having beaten the Bulldogs twice this year.
The Roosters will be powered with the inclusion of former Fiji Bati reps Peniasi Wakawaka and Jone Sariri. Old hands Roger Qoro, Jo Sovau and Semisi Qoro will also bolster the line-up.
Roosters team official Vela Tawake said they had enough recovery time after a break last week.
Tawake said the squad was injury-free.
“In the last two meetings with the Bulldogs the results were quite close,” Tawake said.
“However, at semi-final time things get a lot tougher. It will be a test of character for the players. In rugby league, ball possession counts.
“It is important to complete the set of five tackles. We are hopeful that the fans will travel in numbers to Lautoka for the game.”
Churchill Park should prove lucky for the Roosters after coming from being 2-14 down at half-time to defeat the KBL Saru Dragons 27-18 during the grand final last year.
The Roosters are seeking their third title after winning in similar fashion against the Dragons in the 2010 grand final. The side was down 0-14 at half-time and rallied back to win 15-14.
It was the first grand final appearance since the club was formed in 2006.
Meanwhile, the team members will join about 50 youths in conjunction with the Western Charity Alliance to collect rubbish from both sides of the road from Sabeto junction to the Airports Fiji Limited grounds in Namaka from 9am today.
