‘Wasn't expecting it': James Tedesco's State of Origin revelation
James Tedesco says he has come to terms with the fact he will likely never represent the NSW Blues again, despite arguably being the form fullback of the past two years.
Tedesco made 22 straight appearances for NSW from the final game of the 2016 series through to the end of 2023.
However, he was dropped in favour of Dylan Edwards for the 2024 series, only to be rushed in last-minute for Game 1 after the Panthers star was ruled out with injury.
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But after Edwards was cleared for Game 2, the Panthers No.1 came straight back in, meaning Tedesco missed out on being part of the team that came back from a Game 1 defeat to clinch the series.
Instead, Tedesco was sat at home watching NSW lift the shield, a moment he admits was very tough to not be apart of.
And despite talks that he could earn a recall in 2025 due to his incredible NRL form and the fact that Edwards continued to be hampered by a leg injury, he was again overlooked, to the surprise of many, but not Tedesco.
'Last year was probably hard … it was a bit awkward for me to watch,' he said on Nine's Freddy and the Eighth.
'I'd been there since 2016, not missed a game, so it was a bit weird for me to watch on TV … but this year I felt really relaxed. I wasn't expecting to play Origin.
'I think a lot of external talk was about that, but I wasn't expecting that. I knew they'd go with Dyl (Edwards) who's playing some great footy and they won last year.'
While tough to watch in 2024, in 2025 Tedesco says his perspective has entirely shifted and insists he is no longer bothered by not being selected for Origin.
The 32-year-old says after welcoming a child into the world with his wife Maria, Rosie, and with a second daughter on the way, his focus is now on family and not things out of his control in the footy world.
'I've really sat back and just enjoyed watching footy this year – even club footy,' he said.
' … I got married (in 2021) and had kids, and now my life revolves around my family. I can't wait to come home and see my little daughter. She runs up, gives me a hug and honestly it doesn't get much better than that.
'I can't wait to keep growing my family.'
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