Fittler looking forward to Auckland atmosphere

The Sydney Roosters flew to Auckland tonight, embracing the prospect of a seething full house at Mt Smart Stadium for Friday's knockout National Rugby League (NRL) semifinal.

And their recent record against the New Zealand Warriors would back up coach Brad Fittler's confidence as they prepare to front a sellout crowd of 26,000.

The Roosters have won three of the past four matches between the sides in Auckland, including their previous meeting, an impressive 38-12 win in May after the Warriors won their first four home matches.

"It's going to be a great atmosphere. Last time we went over there when they were on a really good roll, it was a great atmosphere and it was a good game of footy," Fittler said today.

"These days the stats say the teams with the best away record win competitions. We've got a pretty good away record this year."

The Roosters' 7-5 away record is third-best in the NRL regular season, behind the 8-4 of Manly and Cronulla.

The difference now is, the Warriors are on a roll having won nine of their last 11 matches -- including Sunday's stunning 18-15 win over minor premiers Melbourne -- while the Roosters have got the late season speed wobbles with four losses from their last six including Friday's brutal 16-24 defeat at home to the Broncos.

Fittler wasn't surprised by the Warriors' big upset in Melbourne.

"They've run into a fair bit of momentum over the past couple of weeks, they've got a great leadership group so you know the semifinal atmosphere isn't going to affect them. We've got to match that.

"They never give up, they just keep going. It went down to the last two minutes and that's got a lot to do with their leadership group. They provide that belief that they can go to the death with any team."

Australia's TAB Sportsbet opened the Warriors as $1.60 favourites to progress to next Saturday's preliminary final against Manly, while the Roosters opened at $2.30.

The one negative for the Warriors was the quick five-day backup, while the Roosters has two extra days to prepare. But Fittler said it was a non-issue.

"Teams are used to playing in that five-day turnaround and if anything it gives you a time to freshen up.

"Every team goes through them, Our record this year from five-day turnarounds is 100 percent (one from one), so from my point of view it allows the coach to sit back and say 'we can rest them up here', and mentally they go into the game really fresh. "

Fittler quipped his team's early departure to Auckland was "to get away from you blokes (media)", and to replicate their routine from the previous win in Auckland.

There were bumps and bruises from the Broncos' loss, and while Fittler wouldn't elaborate, captain Braith Anasta told Sydney radio 2KY that prop Mark O'Meley and Kiwis centre Setaimata Sa were battling injury.

Fittler said Warriors winger Manu Vatuvei was the obvious danger man, after he set up Michael Witt's matchwinning try in Melbourne and took his own tally to 15 tries from 15 this year.

"He's been crumbling blokes lately, he's been really impressive. Look at his record when he's played over there, it's outstanding, nearly 100 percent."

The NRL's top referee, Tony Archer, was today appointed to control the match.

His only Warriors match this year was their 18-4 win over Cronulla last month, although he controlled both their playoff defeats against Parramatta and North Queensland last year.