SBW, Friend back for Roosters

SYDNEY: The Sydney Roosters have been given a huge boost before Friday's NRL grand final rematch at the SCG, with Jake Friend and Sonny Bill Williams named to make their return.

Williams has been named for his fifth game of the year for the Roosters after missing last week's qualifying final with a neck injury. Cocaptain Friend is also down to play Canberra after missing the 2928 loss to Penrith at Panthers Stadium last week.

While there are still questions over Williams' fitness heading into the doordie clash, Friend is a certainty to take the field with last week's replacement, Freddy Lussick, left out of the side.

Should Williams play it will be his first NRL finals match since the 2014 preliminary finals loss to South Sydney at ANZ Stadium.

``Hopefully they're both back,’’ centre Josh Morris said.

``With Sonny as well, his ballplaying ability . . . just that Xfactor he brings off the bench. We could really use that.''

The Roosters will face an unchanged Raiders side from their 3220 win over Cronulla last weekend.