It's the final dress rehearsal before the NRL season but Sydney Roosters coach Brad Fittler isn't expecting a show-stopping performance from new five-eighth Setaimata Sa.

Sa will make his 2009 debut against Parramatta at Campbelltown Stadium on Saturday, paired with Mitchell Pearce for the first time since 2007 as Fittler completes an overhaul of his halves combination.

Kiwi international Sa's efforts in the No.6 jersey will determine whether skipper Braith Anasta remains at lock or is reinstated to pivot.

Fittler, one of the game's great pivots, isn't putting pressure on the 21-year-old to immediately fire.

"I just expect him to play for the team and just do his defence," Fittler said on his expectations for Sa.

"If we get good ball then we'll see how it works - they've got a few plays they want to try and stuff. I'm just keeping a pretty open mind."

It is the first time Sa has played five-eighth since his brilliant performance in the round 16 win over the Bulldogs last year.

Sa scored a try, set up another and had seven tackle breaks in the 24-14 win in one of his standout games on 2008.

The Pearce and Sa combination is not new to the Roosters, the pair combined midway through 2007 for two wins and two losses under then-coach Chris Anderson.

But Anderson quit a fortnight later and Fittler had been reluctant to pair the duo until now.

As intriguing as it will be to see Sa and Pearce on Saturday, there is as much interest in the No.6 for Parramatta as former winger Jarryd Hayne continues his transformation into playmaker.

Fittler said he was looking forward to seeing the two gamebreakers get their hands on the ball more often.

"They're two highly talented players - hopefully we get them at their rawest, just playing footy. It's an interesting one," he said.

Elsewhere on Saturday Gold Coast prop Ian Donnelly will look to reclaim a spot in the Titans starting front row when they meet the Warriors in Lismore.

Donnelly is battling Matt White and Brad Meyers for a starting spot alongside Luke Bailey for the NRL season start and is determined to push his claims against the Warriors.

"The way I look at it, everyone is still competing for spots. But I'm trying to focus on myself and at the moment I'm still trying to prove myself and offer something to the team," said Donnelly.

A host of Test stars will make their first appearances for 2009 on Saturday night as seven trial matches are played out around the country.

Brisbane star Darren Lockyer leads his men against Melbourne at the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast's Anthony Laffranchi faces the Warriors in Lismore, Penrith skipper Petero Civoniceva will make a cameo against North Queensland in Cairns and Eels captain Nathan Cayless confronts the Roosters.

Newcastle skipper Kurt Gidley makes his return from knee surgery against Paul Gallen's Cronulla Sharks at Cessnock while Bulldogs fullback Luke Patten returns from back surgery against Canberra at Meakin Park in Brisbane.

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