KEY MATCH-UPS

BACK ROW: Boyd Cordner (Roosters) v Ethan Lowe (Cowboys) The Roosters’ left edge, led by skipper Cordner, is particularly lethal and Lowe and centre Kane Linnett face a big task shutting down the Blues captain and young flyer Latrell Mitchell. After being dropped mid-season, Mitchell has come back firing and used his strength and speed to score the winning try against the Broncos in the first week of finals to earn the Roosters the week off. Lowe has found his best form late in the year and has taken on the extra responsibility of goalkicking.

HOOKER: Jake Friend (Roosters) v Jake Granville (Cowboys) The two dummy halves play vastly different styles, but both are crucial to their respective sides in attack and defence. Granville’s running game is more dynamic while Friend is the steady head for Roosters halves Mitchell Pearce and Luke Keary. Both also tie up the middle third in defence and play well above their weight.

FORWARDS: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Roosters) v Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys) They technically don’t play the same position, but this is a no-brainer. The clash between the two Kiwi internationals will be mouth-watering after Waerea-Hargreaves told Taumalolo to “bring it on” this week. The Dally M medallist responded in kind, challenging the big Rooster to back up his words with actions. Taumalolo has made no secret he gets motivation from rivals calling him out, so the wisdom of WaereaHargreaves’ challenge is up for debate.