ROOSTERS coach Brad Fittler has warned his players not to take the Raiders lightly, instead describing them as outstanding ahead of today's clash at Canberra Stadium.
''It's unbelievable, over the past five games they have seemed really relaxed but very committed and they are looking pretty good,'' Fittler said.
''We're going to have to really be on our game today, they've been outstanding lately.''
The Roosters arrived in Canberra yesterday after a two-day sojourn in Batemans Bay to escape the World Youth Day celebrations which have swamped Sydney.
Fittler said the break from the city had relaxed his players and given them a chance to forget last weekend's upset 32-28 loss to the Gold Coast Titans.
''We've had quite a lengthy time in between games so that has been good and the days down the coast have been nice for them,'' he said.
The Roosters could temporarily move into second place if they can rebound from last weekend's disappointment. Melbourne would regain second position if it beats St George Illawarra tomorrow.
Fittler said the Raiders squad had become stronger with every game this year and struggled to find a weakness in it.
''They're just a good honest team,'' he said.
''I'm not surprised that they have found a bit of consistency. They are a team without egos and we'll need to be playing pretty well to get on top of them.''
The Roosters have not won in Canberra since 2004. But in a massive boost for the visitors, back-rower Anthony Tupou will return from a shoulder injury.
The Raiders have a point to prove today, after being on the wrong-end of a 30-4 thumping in the teams' last encounter in round nine.
Raiders coach Neil Henry described it as his team's poorest performance this season.
Raiders forward Glen Turner, who has nursed an ankle injury for the majority of the year, said the past two week's training had been more polished, boosting Canberra's confidence.
''We have lost a couple of times at home to the better teams in the competition and we have to do something about that,'' Turner said.
The back-rower aggravated a pre-season ankle injury against the Cronulla Sharks in round 16.
He said the Raiders had nothing to lose today.
''They're a great team on paper, it's almost a representative forward pack we'll be up against. They don't have many weak links. They're a good side and have been playing some good footy.
''But these last few weeks we have been training a lot better too. We've been more polished over the last couple of weeks and I think that really showed last weekend.''