Premiers the Sydney Roosters are battle-hardened after epic back-to-back NRL finals campaigns says coach Trent Robinson.
The Roosters' 19-18 frantic qualifying final loss to Penrith two weeks ago was followed up by a frenetic 31-30 win over North Queensland last week to advance them through to Friday's first preliminary final against South Sydney.
Meanwhile the Rabbitohs have rested up over the past week, after their emphatic 40-24 qualifying win over Manly.
Despite the exacting nature of both games, Robinson said his side had to use the extra week's football as a plus against premiership favourites the Rabbitohs.
"We've got to make sure that it's an advantage for us," Robinson said at Monday's coaches' call.
"If we don't take the lessons out of the games that we've played, then it won't be.
The Roosters led Penrith 18-12 before being run down late in the game, and headed the Cowboys 30-0 after half an hour before the visitors mounted an epic comeback that fell just short.
Robinson said the Roosters were in good shape, despite the emotional and physical toll of both encounters.
"They recovered well over the weekend," he said.
"It was good to play that game on a Friday night and get a couple of days recovery and start up on Souths on (Monday) morning.
"They're all in a good frame of mind and they will be all ready to go on the weekend.
"The last few weeks there has been some really great footy that we have played, and from (the Souths) game (in round 26) as well but there are things we need to fix up."
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