Setaimata Sa will play in semifinal

Kiwi centre Setaimata Sa passed a fitness test today and is set to appear for the Sydney Roosters in their National Rugby League semifinal in Auckland tomorrow night.

Sa has been in doubt for the sudden-death clash with the New Zealand Warriors, having sat out training earlier in the week with an injured hip.

But he ran with the side at Mt Smart Stadium today and coach Brad Fittler said he had pulled up well.

Fittler said Sa would be in the 17 unless something untoward happened overnight, and indicated he might start on the bench.

"The good thing with Sa is that he can play in the backs and in the forwards," he said.

"It gives us a bit of versatility."

Sa, who turned 21 last Sunday, made his Kiwi debut against Australia in this year's centenary test.

If he does play, it could mean utility Rory Kostjasyn misses out on a surprise NRL debut.

Kostjasyn, 21, was called up as back-up after hooker Riley Brown broke his arm in the Roosters' 24-16 loss to Brisbane last Friday night.

Brown's unavailability means James Aubisson will wear the No 9 jersey, while Kostjasyn also ran at dummy half during training today.

Winger Amos Roberts, who flew to Auckland after the becoming a father, is expected to be in the starting 13 ahead of Brent Grose.

Fittler said the Warriors' defence and their ability to stay in the contest were features of their 18-15 upset over Melbourne last Sunday.

"They played really tough and they have that style of unpredictability where they can score at any time, and they did that," he said.

"With three minutes to go, they came up with a great play and a great shift. Everything looked really organised and they played really smart."

Fittler said the Roosters' defeat to the Broncos, who came from behind under the guidance of old hands like Darren Lockyer and Tonie Carroll, had been a great lesson for the youngsters in his squad.

"Last week's experience was excellent, being beaten by the composure of the Lockyers and the Carrolls and those sorts of players," he said.

"I think our team has gone forward since then."

The Roosters won their only regular season meeting with the Warriors, by 38-12 in Auckland in May.

Skipper Braith Anasta starred that day during a two-try performance and he was glad to be back.

"It's a ground I like playing at," he said.

"The last few times, we've had a bit of success and I'm looking forward to Friday."

Anasta said a number of the Roosters were still feeling the effects of a highly physical contest last weekend, "as the Warrior blokes would be too".

"Travelling over here takes a little bit of a toll, but we trained well yesterday and we trained well today," he said.

"There are no excuses."