Latest news with #JamesTedesco
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Roosters set for huge James Tedesco move after backlash as Ponga links continue
The Roosters have reportedly moved to lock down captain James Tedesco for another year as the Perth Bears enter the competition seeking a fullback, while his deal ends at the same time as Kalyn Ponga's at the Knights. Tedesco has been in sensational form in 2025 with plenty of fans believing he should have been the NSW fullback under Blues coach Laurie Daley. Tedesco has not shown any signs of slowing down at 32 years old and the Roosters extended his deal in 2024 till the end of 2026. Since this deal, the Perth Bears have been announced as the next club entering the competition with coach Mal Meninga building a roster for their inclusion in 2027. And Tedesco is currently off contract for their inaugural year in the NRL with the possibility of the champion fullback making a big money move to Perth. The Bears have missed out on signing Jahrome Hughes, but are reportedly keen on Cameron Munster and Ryan Papenhuyzen as a marquee signing. But Tedesco would also be on their radar with his deal ending as they enter the competition. Tedesco is one of the biggest names in the NRL and signing the former NSW and Australia captain would be a huge statement from the new club. Tedesco would also be able to negotiate with rival clubs come 1 November on his current contract. Although the Wide World of Sports has reported the Roosters are keen to make sure their captain isn't on the move just yet as they negotiate a one-year extension. This would keep the 32-year-old at the Roosters until the end of 2027. Tedesco joined the Roosters from the Wests Tigers in 2018 and is closing in on 200 NRL games for the club. James and his wife Maria may also be reluctant to relocate their young family to Perth. And while the Bears may have another player ruled out of contention to join them for their first season, Tedesco's short-term contract won't deter speculation around Ponga joining the club in 2028. Roosters seek to steady recruitment drama The Roosters seeking to lock down Tedesco comes after the side copped plenty of backlash over how they handled their recruitment across the last 12 months. The Roosters let Terrell May leave to the Tigers, while they missed out on signing Ben Hunt. Joseph Suaalii, Joey Manu, Luke Keary and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves all left in the off-season, which prompted question marks around their recruitment. While they are heavily linked to Daly Cherry-Evans for next season, it appears the Roosters are making sure they don't see any superstars walk out the door again, until replacements arrive. And Tedesco's potential signing gives them two years to seek a replacement fullback, or sign the captain on for another one-year deal. RELATED: Storm ace lifts lid on wife detail after turning back on big-money switch Hunt responds after Slater's criticism of Broncos as NRL feat looms Kalyn Ponga linked to Roosters move Meanwhile, Tedesco's reported one-year extension won't end speculation the Roosters are keen on bringing Knights fullback Ponga to Sydney. Ponga recently committed to the club amid speculation he was keen for a release to join a rugby union team. The Knights captain said he will see out his contract, which runs out at the end of 2027. And while the Perth Bears will also come knocking for Ponga, the Roosters could also see him as a long-term solution at fullback. Tedesco will be 35 years old by the time the 2028 NRL season rolls around. The fullback could see his next deal as his last in the competition with the star copping a number of injuries and head knocks across his glittering career. The Roosters will no doubt be on the search for a long-term replacement in the No.1 jersey during their quest for another NRL premiership.
Sydney Morning Herald
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
NRL 2025 LIVE updates: Sandon Smith recalled as Roosters fight for top eight spot
Latest posts Latest posts 7.30pm King Ted for Dally M I declared it a while back, but who will deny Roosters fullback James Tedesco the Dally M? Early leader Luke Metcalf has gone down with a season-ending knee injury, while another contender, Melbourne fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen, continues to battle a calf injury. Can you think of anyone else in the race. That's right, I'll be waiting. In the press box. With no more food. Or water. 7.27pm No Victor Sydney Roosters enforcer Victor Radley told journalists at the Beer Footy and Food Festival launch at Henson Park he would be touch-and-go with his dodgy left shoulder – then he is not only not named, but ruled out the next month by coach Trent Robinson. If there is a silver lining with the extended time on the sidelines, it's the fact Radley can continue to work on his cognitive skills and 'work' his brai after a string of concussions. We asked the 'Enforcer' who had impressed him most this year at Easts, and he was quick to nominate Naufahu Whyte. Still on Henson Park, get down to the 'Ninth Wonder' on Saturday afternoon to watch the almighty Newtown Jets while enjoying good tucker and brew. 7.24pm Welcome to Allianz Howdy all. Welcome to the SMH blog. Who have we got tonight? The Roosters looked ready to steam over the top of Cronulla last week, then ran out of steam. They were out-muscled, and there were simply too many errors. The Storm lost at home against Manly, and now missing Nelson Asofa-Solomona (suspension), while Cameron Munster is in Queensland for his father's funeral on Friday. How many times do Melbourne drop two on the bounce? They need a win to keep their top-two hopes alive. The Chookies need a victory to keep their finals' dream alive.
The Age
24-07-2025
- Sport
- The Age
NRL 2025 LIVE updates: Sandon Smith recalled as Roosters fight for top eight spot
Latest posts Latest posts 7.30pm King Ted for Dally M I declared it a while back, but who will deny Roosters fullback James Tedesco the Dally M? Early leader Luke Metcalf has gone down with a season-ending knee injury, while another contender, Melbourne fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen, continues to battle a calf injury. Can you think of anyone else in the race. That's right, I'll be waiting. In the press box. With no more food. Or water. 7.27pm No Victor Sydney Roosters enforcer Victor Radley told journalists at the Beer Footy and Food Festival launch at Henson Park he would be touch-and-go with his dodgy left shoulder – then he is not only not named, but ruled out the next month by coach Trent Robinson. If there is a silver lining with the extended time on the sidelines, it's the fact Radley can continue to work on his cognitive skills and 'work' his brai after a string of concussions. We asked the 'Enforcer' who had impressed him most this year at Easts, and he was quick to nominate Naufahu Whyte. Still on Henson Park, get down to the 'Ninth Wonder' on Saturday afternoon to watch the almighty Newtown Jets while enjoying good tucker and brew. 7.24pm Welcome to Allianz Howdy all. Welcome to the SMH blog. Who have we got tonight? The Roosters looked ready to steam over the top of Cronulla last week, then ran out of steam. They were out-muscled, and there were simply too many errors. The Storm lost at home against Manly, and now missing Nelson Asofa-Solomona (suspension), while Cameron Munster is in Queensland for his father's funeral on Friday. How many times do Melbourne drop two on the bounce? They need a win to keep their top-two hopes alive. The Chookies need a victory to keep their finals' dream alive.
Sydney Morning Herald
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
State of Origin Game 3 LIVE updates: Blues series defence on the line as Queensland chase Sydney upset
Good evening sport fans. Forget the Australian Election, toss aside the Papal conclave, and you can even keep your AFL grand final – Origin game III tonight will be the greatest day of the year. Tonight, it's the decider and it's in Sydney. You don't 'get' Origin until you've experienced a decider in Sydney, and that's what we've got tonight (think James Tedesco 2019 miracle try). Billie Eder and Dan Walsh here to keep you up to date and wrangle some gold out of the reporters on the ground – Michael Chammas, Christian Nicolussi, Adrian Proszenko and Robert Dillon. Kick-off is 8:05pm, we have team lists, breaking news, and your reader questions answered until then.
News.com.au
08-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
NRL Round 19 Team Talk and live SuperCoach question and answer session
What a bittersweet round that was. The post-TLT injuries to the likes of Ryan Papenhuyzen (more on him below) and Euan Aitken saw me reverse course and buy Mark Nawaqanitawase (more on him below). That was a win. Putting the armband on James Tedesco was not a 'win' but was not a loss. Watching the Tigers beat my Roosters live was a loss. Thoroughly deserved win by the way - well played. Watching Kaeo Weekes rip it up against the Dragons after I labelled him 'rocks or diamonds' was tough (yes I could argue that was the 'diamonds' but I'll be honest I was not expecting his diamond to shine that bright!). Enough of my laments, let's get into the Buy/Hold/Sell analysis - with the disclaimer that Origin injuries could alter some takes below. Connor Watson - Hooker is a really tough position this year. How tough? In 2025 just three HOK eligible players (Connor Watson (67PPG), Blayke Brailey (60PPG) and Cam McInnes (60PPG)) are averaging better than 60PPG. In 2024 six players finished with a 60PPG (or better) average. Watson is clearly leading the position in terms of average this year, starting at hooker and then often spending some time either at 13 or on an edge. With a base that sits just below 50 and excellent attack - he is top five for tries and try assists (sixth if you include HOK eligible halfback Sandon Smith) all despite playing significantly fewer games than his competitors - Watson is the hooker I want to finish the season. Having played just 35 minutes combined over Origin I and II, I expect Watson to backup from game III and play near enough 80 minutes against the Dragons this round. Mark Nawaqanitawase/Zac Lomax/Val Holmes - The rugby convert lacks the goalkicking floor of the likes of Val Holmes (GK adding 10.6PPG) and Zac Lomax (GK adding 9PPG). He is also 'outworked' by both; in Lomax's case by a whopping 11PPG in base, with Holmes it's a less significant 3PPG. But what Nawaqanitawase has been doing so much better than both his rivals is breaking lines and scoring tries with his tallies in each of those statistical areas better than Lomax and Homes combined. As I mentioned last week, the Roosters have a mixed draw for the remainder of the season, with tough match-ups against the Storm (twice) and Bulldogs, the major obstacles. I still think Lomax and Holmes are the safer options, but you also cannot ignore the fact that each of those players has hit triple figures just once this year while Mark N has done it twice. If you can handle his odd rock then maybe his diamonds make it all worthwhile. VERDICT: ALL THREE ARE BUYS HOW MANY YOU NEED IS UP TO YOU Nathan Cleary - While 2025 has been Nathan Cleary's worst season in the past six years, he's still averaging 6PPG more than the nest best halfback (Nicho Hynes). The Panthers have won their past four matches and while they're certainly not the juggernaut of years gone past they do seem to be finally finding their mojo. Penrith's next five opponents (Eels (15th), Souths (16th), Wests Tigers (14th), Titans (17th) and Knights (13th) are the current bottom five on the ladder. With plenty to play for and a full 3.5 days break between Origin III and the Eels game then I expect Cleary to backup after the Blues beat Queensland on Wednesday night. Should he do so I think he's almost a must have buy. VERDICT: BUY Angus Crichton - In 2024 the Mighty Angus averaged a mighty 78PPG. So far this year his return has been a little more pedestrian with the Roosters edge forward averaging just 65PPG. The good news is there's nothing fundamentally wrong/changed around Crichton. He is in fact averaging slightly higher base and almost the same tackle busts/offloads. The work is there. The dramatic drop off has been tries and try assists. In 2024 Crichton averaged almost 14PPG across those two areas. In 2025 he is returning just 1.5PPG across the two key attacking areas with just one try and zero assists. Priced at $584K Crichton is worth a pick-up even if you don't believe the attacking stats will return. He's a bargain if, like me, you expect the return of crafty half Sam Walker to result in at least a couple of pies for his favourite hole running edge forward. VERDICT: BUY Ezra Mam - Since making his return from suspension, Mam has had just the one bad game (41 vs. Manly in round 13) and has averaged 83PPG across the other five matches. The Broncos have a rather soft draw for the run home with just two tough games (Storm in rounds 23 and 27) left and the rest all very positive. That said, the Bronx also have a round 20 bye which is not ideal. At a position which seems full of somewhat risky plays then Mam is far from the worst option. I still prefer Jayden Campbell (from round 20 onwards) and probably Cam Munster too but at a tough position Mam is a buy. VERDICT: BUY Ryan Papenhuyzen - The Storm full-back's withdrawal from the match against the Cowboys (Calf tightness) is a worry. His recent form - a three-round average (3RA) of 61.7PPG and 5RA of 56.6PPG - is not great. Put the two together and I'm making the 'brave' call to sack Paps and replace him at flex with Cleary. The upside is obvious, as someone who captained him when he scored 182 versus the Wests Tigers, I'm well aware of it. And I expect Papenhuyzen will benefit from having the Origin spine stars Munster and Grant back too. I'm not saying this is the move for everyone, but if like me you're hovering around the top 5% and want to make a move up then axing someone who is widely owned (Paps was in 90% of top 5% teams at the start of this week) and replacing him with a player with equal upside but far lower ownership (Cleary was in just 24% of top 5% teams at the start of the week) is the way to do it. VERDICT: SELL Sandon Smith - The return of Sam Walker likely sends Smith to the bench where he'll become the number 14. VERDICT: SELL Lyhkan King-Togia - Came into round 18 on a run of decent form. Could not get any attack going whatsoever and I feel a Flanagan axing looms. VERDICT: SELL Joseph Tapine - The big Raider has done a 'reverse Tapine' averaging 78PPG over the opening portion of the season and falling in a hole in the mid to latter part of the season. On a bye this week and then with the Rd 24 bye to serve too he's a sell. Tom Starling - Many of us held Starling hoping to farewell him after some attacking stats against the Dragons. The minutes held up, the attack never came as the Raiders instead spun it wide and tore the weak St George wingers to shreds. See above re Canberra's bye schedule.
