Sydney Roosters aren’t expecting to rack up another cricket score against a resurgent Parramatta when the two sides meet for the second time this NRL season on Saturday, says tricolours back-rower Boyd Cordner.
The premiers thumped the Eels 56-4 at Allianz Stadium in round two, raising fears of another forgettable season for Parramatta fans after back-to-back wooden spoons.
Since that clash, the Eels have suffered a last-gasp loss to Manly at Brookvale Oval and enjoyed wins over Penrith and Melbourne, while the Roosters have beaten the Broncos but lost to Manly and Canterbury.
Parramatta now sit ahead of the Roosters in the top eight after Chris Sandow’s man-of-the-match effort in his second game back against the Broncos on Friday night.
Cordner says the tricolours can’t expect another cakewalk at Pirtek Stadium.
“Parramatta have been awesome since then (round two),” Cordner said at training on Monday.
“They had a great win up there in Brisbane and they are going to be tough on Saturday night.
“They have been playing some outstanding footy with Sandow back. He has been awesome. He adds another dimension to their attack and their defence has been good.
“We know it is not going to be the same game as round two, they are going to be tough.
“We have been thereabouts. They have been tough games but we have been playing well, we know we need to work on a few things.
“We have been playing tough, we have been playing how we want to, we have to keep working hard and it will turn around.”
The Roosters will welcome back prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves after a one-match shoulder charge ban.
“We did miss him. He is a massive part of our team,” Cordner said.
“I love playing with him and would hate to play against him.”
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