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Tigers full-back James Tedesco will look good in light blue when he runs out for NSW in his Origin debut against Queensland at ANZ Stadium on June 1.
Tedesco has been the leading light in the Tigers revival, downing the Warriors 34-26 and Manly 36-22 in two games the pundits expected them to lose.
Tedesco has scored five of the Tigers 13 tries, that included an exciting hat-trick last night.
The 23-year-old has Origin written all over him.
And so have the two 21-year-old Tiger pivots Luke Brooks and Mitchell Moses who have been teammates since they were in nappies.
Brooks, the 2014 Rookie of the Year, missed the first round clash under suspension. But last night he made up for lost time in a hurry.
And with new captain Aaron Woods, already a NSW Origin rep and a Kangaroo, the Tigers mean business.
One of the many banners at Leichhardt last night read ‘This is our Jungle’ and it would be fair to say the 11,500 faithful were on duty to support Balmain.
It reminded me of the 1989 season when Balmain, coached by Warren Ryan, was beaten 19-14 in an extra time grand final by Canberra at the Sydney Football Stadium.
The Tigers were gutted that day because they were the better side. I recall it well, having called it for 2KY with Steve Mortimer my expert, and John Harker on the touch line.
Right through that season Balmain had given their supporters grand fare with the likes of skipper Wayne Pearce, Benny Elias, Steve Roach, Paul Sironen, Garry Jack, Tim Brasher, and goal-kicker Andy Currier playing exciting ball-spinning rugby league.
This current Tigers team is doing the same, their faithful will grow every week and the knockers will get off beleaguered coach Jason Taylor’s case.
It’s a vastly different story for Manly, and their coach Trent Barrett.
Where was Daly Cherry-Evans last night, where were Jamie Lyon, Steve Matai, Nate Miles, and with the exception of one brilliant 50-metre burst mid-field and a try, where was former Tiger Martin Taupau?
It’s 0-2 for Manly, and it won’t take long for the Brookvale faithful to start giving Barrett stick, especially as he replaced Manly legend Geoff Toovey.
Next up for Manly will be the Sharks at Brookvale, so you can ink in 0-3.
Not so for the Tigers when they meet the Titans away, so you can ink in 3-0.