Fans say the same thing as James Tedesco lands telling new blow on Dylan Edwards

Yahoo

02-05-2025

James Tedesco has sent NSW coach Laurie Daley an emphatic statement that he wants his Blues jersey back off Dylan Edwards after his latest sensational display for the Roosters in Friday night's 36-26 win over the Dolphins. The second match of Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium turned into the Tedesco show as the former Blues skipper put on another masterclass to stamp his claims for a State of Origin recall.
The Roosters skipper won the Artie Legacy Medal as man of the match in the 10-point victory after a vintage display that included two try assists, 10 tackle busts, two line breaks, four offloads and a game-high 212 run metres. Tedesco was in just about everything for Trent Robinson's side and it was only a late fade from his Roosters side and a flurry of points from the Dolphins towards the end that made the scoreline more respectable.
Tedesco was dropped for Edwards before last year's Origin series despite playing Game 1 when the Panthers fullback was injured. But Edwards returned to help the Blues win the final two games to claim the Origin series, before going on to win his fourth premiership in a row with Penrith in 2024.
However, the Panthers No.1 has endured an injury-hit season this year and has been in patchy form since returning from a groin complaint - mirroring that of his last-placed Penrith side. On the other hand, Tedesco has been arguably the form fullback in the competition in 2025 and it's led to calls for Daley to drop Edwards and bring the former Blues skipper back into the fold.
Tedesco gave a classy interview after his man of the match display on Friday night after insisting the Blues No.1 jersey belongs to Edwards. And the Roosters skipper said being free of the pressure that comes with being the incumbent Blues fullback has helped him focus on his game at the Roosters, where he has been in irresistible form.
"I am very clear on how I play footy and prepare. Everyone is expecting me to not be as good but I am sticking to my routine weekly - mentally freshening up for each game and physically getting my body right and then playing," Tedesco said after the game. "It's not my decision (who plays fullback for NSW). It is what the coach wants and how he wants to play.
"I have been on the other side of it over the years where I am the (NSW) fullback and everyone is talking about form. It does put pressure on you. I haven't felt any of that pressure. That has freed me up to play some of my best footy. My focus is leading this team, playing my game and leading from the front... Everyone plays the game to play for their state or Australia. That is always a huge honour. That feeling has never changed for me."
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Daley appeared to back the Origin claims from the likes of Edwards and champion halfback Nathan Cleary after insisting Penrith's poor form did not necessarily mean those individuals were playing badly. "I don't think I would have to worry about the guys who have won four competitions in a row and have performed at the highest level," Daley told Channel Nine. I think you look at form and you look at what people have done in the past at that level and then weigh it all up."
But there is little doubt that Tedesco has been in much better form than Edwards this season and his latest display will only ramp up pressure on the Penrith No.1 ahead of Sunday's Magic Round clash with Brisbane. Roosters coach Trent Robinson admitted Daley had a tough choice to make about his NSW fullback after admitting both players had put forward compelling cases.
"It is just who the coach wants to choose," Robinson said of Tedesco's Origin hopes. "You can't go wrong obviously with Ted and everything that he has done, and you can't go wrong with Dylan. He is an amazing player. It is just the choice of a coach. There is no right or wrong decision.
"It is whatever the coach feels like is his team. There are other positions you can debate. I don't think fullback is one of them." Despite Robinson's comments and the admission from Tedesco that the Blues' No.1 jersey belonged to Edwards, many fans were convinced after Friday night that the Roosters skipper had done more than enough to demand an Origin recall.
Tedesco has to be the blues full back #NRLRoostersDolphins
— umad (@tommyyyyy02) May 2, 2025
Tedesco the form NSW fullback by length of the straight. Has almost played himself back into the Blues for Origin I #NRLRoostersDolphins
— Adam Hawse (@AdamHawse) May 2, 2025
Don't think you are biased - Teddy should definitely be there
— Liam O'Loughlin (@ljoloughlin) May 2, 2025
Anyone thinking Edwards is better than Tedesco right now is blind #NRLRoostersDolphins
— Syzlak (@Syzlak_) May 2, 2025
What's the argument to not pick Tedesco at fullback for NSW?
— Roosters Podcast (@RoostersPodcast) May 2, 2025
Watch all the highlights as the Roosters take on the Dolphins in Round 9!#NRLRoostersDolphins pic.twitter.com/xyFS2LGbZw
— NRL (@NRL) May 2, 2025
with AAP