Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson expects former assistant Paul Green to claim underdog status for Saturday’s NRL preliminary final.

But that doesn’t mean he’s going to take North Queensland lightly.

After enjoying the week off following their qualifying final win over Brisbane, Robinson’s side are heavily backed against the sentimental favourites at Allianz Stadium.

Robinson knows Green well from the one year the Cowboys mentor spent as part of the Roosters’ coaching staff in their 2013 premiership triumph.

Asked if he thought Green would jump at the underdog tag, Robinson said: “I’d be surprised if he didn’t, Greeny. It’s been working for him well. He’ll throw that out there.”

However Robinson threw his own curveball at his rival coach, pointing out how the Cowboys have the edge in experience over the Roosters side.

And the 2015 premiers have found some hot form in the post-season.

“They didn’t have a great end to the season, they were playing some good footy. They didn’t get the wins, but they’ve played well the last couple of weeks,” Robinson said.

“They’ve got a lot of experience which people have overlooked.

“A lot of people have bought the underdog tag, but they’ve got more NRL games than the Roosters in their team, and premiership-winners everywhere.”

Green began the first mind game earlier this week when he named co-captain Matt Scott in a 21-man squad, although Robinson refused to play ball.

He admitted he was unsure whether the Cowboys prop would take the field.

“Matt Scott got named, you go, ‘Okay, well I’ll think about him a bit’, and then move on. If you fluctuate your energy too much on that stuff, it’s a waste,” Robinson said.

Robinson also confirmed duo Luke Keary (virus) and Daniel Tupou (groin) would start despite battling separate issues over the past week.

Keary completed Friday’s captain’s run after missing the start of the week due to a food poisoning scare, while Tupou has also overcome a nagging groin issue.