Tedesco boosts hopes of Blues recall as Roosters topple Titans

Forget the back injury to Latrell Mitchell. Forget the lack of game time for Hudson Young, Kotoni Staggs and Spencer Leniu, the sight of Sydney Roosters skipper Angus Crichton with his knee strapped, or the form of Canterbury captain Stephen Crichton.

The one thing that is sure to be keeping NSW Origin coach Laurie Daley up every night – and probably has done all season – is whether to go back to the future with James Tedesco as his fullback.

Penrith workhorse Dylan Edwards is the Blues’ No.1 incumbent playing in a team that is a class above everyone else right now, and includes fellow NSW stars Isaah Yeo, Nathan Cleary and Brian To’o.

But then there is ‘Teddy’ who has been outstanding all season, and was in the thick of everything yet again on an otherwise a low-key Friday evening on the Central Coast.

The Roosters defeated the Gold Coast Titans 28-12. It was hardly a vintage performance, but it was the Tricolours’ sixth straight win, and they head to Magic Round with the perfect blend of confidence and star power.

You could make an argument the Roosters’ roster has more depth and strike than the Panthers.

Tedesco is 33, but it is difficult to think of a time he has been playing better football. Greg Alexander made the point more than once while he was in the commentary box for Fox Sports.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson said of Tedesco: “I give raps to different guys after the game – I didn’t even mention him tonight because it becomes a habit [to regularly praise him].

“I don’t think he’s doing anything differently to what he has done for many years.

“He plays a lot on his feeling – he plays in the moment more than any other player I’ve seen.

“That’s a credit to his mindset. It’s about, ‘What’s needed in this moment?’ ‘What am I seeing?’ ‘What’s the action that’s needed? And ‘Where are my teammates?’

“His scanning of a line and what’s needed in that moment is as good as I’ve seen.”

Tedesco was busy in attack, rock solid in defence, and even a genuine aerial threat. Age should not count against Tedesco when it comes to representative duty. Just ask Queensland coach Billy Slater, who was 35 when he won the Wally Lewis Medal in a losing Maroons side.

Tedesco has not played Origin since game one in 2024. The Blues then opted for Edwards, won the series that year, and they stuck solid with him again last year.

Daley will name his first team on Monday week. Tedesco gets one final audition against the Cowboys.

If Tedesco had to take an alcoholic shot every time he was asked about Origin, he would not sober up until 2034.

“I’ve been used to this question throughout my career around this time of the year,” he said.

“If that opportunity comes again, I’ll be as hungry as ever and take it with both hands. It’s not up to me. All I can do is keep playing my game and see what happens.”

The Titans scored first, only for Rob Toia to hit back on the half hour, followed by Tedesco before half-time.

Titans coach Josh Hannay could live with Tedesco sneaking around Daniel Tupou to dive into the left corner, even though Keano Kini was denied a chance to tackle his fullback opposite. But Hannay was stunned Toia’s four-pointer was given after he appeared to lose grip of the ball.

“We’ve already had some officials come and tell us it was the wrong call,” Hannay said after the game.

“I just don’t know how you get that wrong. When you have the technology we have in today’s game, I don’t understand how they ruled it a try.

“You say it didn’t impact the outcome, but how do we know?”

The Roosters always looked in control in the second half, and could have racked up north of 30 points for a sixth straight week had Sam Walker not left his kicking boots at home.

Siua Wong was outstanding and blossomed playing on the same edge as Daly Cherry-Evans, Hugo Savala continues to shine at left centre, while Victor Radley was placed on report for a high shot on AJ Brimson, but can consider himself hard done by if he misses any game time.