The Daily Telegraph‘s Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield is described by his editors as “League’s most feared critic”, but he is way off the mark with his comment about Wests Tigers young gun James Tedesco becoming a Rooster.
Rothfield went public with his top 50 NRL players in his regular column ‘The Buzz’ on March 4 this year, raising a few eyebrows when he did not have Johnathan Thurston in his top two and left Daly Cherry-Evans out of his top five.
Buzz is entitled to his opinion, but he has got this one wrong in this week’s Sunday Telegraph: “We mentioned last week how the Bulldogs salary cap miracle workers were chasing Wests Tigers star fullback James Tedesco. The Roosters have beaten them to the punch and will announce his signing in the very near future.”
The Roosters have not even considered having a crack at the brilliant Tedesco. When they have a star like Roger Tuivasa-Sheck in the wings waiting to take over from club legend Anthony Minichiello, why would they?
Tedesco is only 21, and his dazzling pace off the mark and ability to sniff out a try is reminiscent of Billy Slater. He still has some work to do on his defence and ball-playing skills, but the immense progress he has made this year means his next contract should earn him $500k-plus per season.
The Tigers won the battle with the Dragons to sign ‘Teddy’ in 2011, and let’s hope they can keep him. His combination with young Luke Brooks could end up being as revered as Slater and Cronk’s in Melbourne.
If you are a Rooster fan you will be wondering when Tuivasa-Sheck, 20, is going to start at fullback. Fans have seen him in stints this season, with Minichiello being shunted to the wing. It was this move that actually won the game for the Roosters against the Broncos on Friday night.
Mini turns 34 in May and has had shockers in Rounds 1 and 3, while the young and exciting Tuivasa-Sheck continues to impress.
The Roosters got out of jail against the unlucky Broncos, but how much longer can they continue gambling on the old against the new?
Roosters coach Trent Robinson is an incredibly deep thinker and he will not be swayed by media comments. He won last year’s premiership in his rookie year because of his gut feel for his players and the game.
He based his entire game plan on defence and while Mini has not been strong in that area this season, he clearly believes that Tuivasa-Sheck has some more learning to do from his on-field mentor.
What we do know is that when Robinson does finally release the shackles on Tuivasa-Sheck and he is handed the famous Roosters No. 1 jersey, his match-up with James Tedesco will be something to see.
Cadfael
Guest
With Fifita no longer in the picture they may have the money for him.
Norma Stitz
Guest
Don't the Roosters and Rabbitohs already have suit sponsors. The Tigers need all the sponsors they can get so Tedesco suits will make sure James stays.
Muzz
Guest
DS - You would take any one of those a head of Mini if the Dragons were playing a Grand Final but i could choose which one ? And your house will depend on the outcome of the game : )
Devout Saint
Guest
I am not tough on Bod. I watched him play at Saints for 3 years. I would definitely take any of those above him on my list. Tomkins in the only one who I can't rate properly due to limited exposure to him. I was talking about who I would want as Saints fullback if fit. Hoppa would actually be my first choice for Saints from a long term point of view, but Milford and Teddy are pretty close too . The top 3 are 3 of the best ever. Milford Hoppa and Teddy could be up there with them in years to come. If Barba could reproduce his 2012 form again he would be up there with them too.
Devout Saint
Guest
Yeah, I can't argue about Inglis being the best. I actually put Inglis in my best team ever at fullback after he played about 12 games there for Melbourne at the beginning of his career. He is probably the best outside back I have ever seen. The reason I said Stewart, was because in todays game the fullback is like a second 5/8 and there is no better exponent of that style of play than Brett Stewart. Also his blinding speed makes him one of the most dangerous players in the game. If he had not spent so much time on the sidelines then I think he would be spoken about in the same breath as Inglis and Slater more often. The difference he makes to Manly when he is n the field is amazing. Yes I know that you can say the same thing about the difference Inglis and Slater make to Souths and Melbourne respectively.
casper
Guest
you're a bit tough on Darius Boyd, holds that bunch of under performers together & has turned into a playmaker under bennett. Dugan has too many cold games to rate that high & can come up with a crucial mistake in big games on a regular basis. Milford is there on potential, probably fair, but Hoppa has to play the game for a while to be top 5. Tedesco can't be at 7 after a few games, surely he's got to have a full season before we decide how good he is. plenty of potential internationals disappeared from the scene after one season under the pressure of expectations. Stewart is the perfect fit for Manly but switch him & Inglis around in the past 5 years & manly win more titles. Broncos must be cursing the Henjak controversy for costing them Inglis, although i reckon russell crowe threw a few things in under the table after the letter of intent came to public notice.
casper
Guest
the point being that dissolutioned players become that when more money is on the table elsewhere. The worst thing to happen to professional football in all codes is the advent of the player manager. They're a make or break factor for a lot of clubs, shopping their clients around as packages & floating rumours to boost their players market value. Here's a left field suggestion, have managers remuneration fixed at a set percentage, with higher % if the player stays at a club for a lengthy period. What if they only got 7% for the first year & 15% for years 4-6 so the club gets committment from the players. That would make them push their clients to long term club loyalty. Will never happen with the self-interest we see now. Same clubs always end up quoted regarding potential recruiting targets for young guys, just to boost their worth. rumours come from managers who are in sweet with ambulance chasers like Rothfield. Has anyone got thoughts on the Keary SOO affair, why would nsw want to force a guy who doesn't feel he's one of them to play for them? surely there's got to be some discretion when there's a birthright there? If I was Laurie Daley & Keary said no way I'm a blue, I'd be saying see you later, we'll catch up on the field if you're good enough to make the maroons side. Is it just spite by nsw because of the past 8 years? you already have more than 65% of the playing population to choose from.
J. Christ
Guest
Mini is great at the one percenter stuff, just like in the Merritt try he stopped last year. Last season Scott bagged Mini, Pearce and Maloney, which is 3 of the 4 spine positions, yet not only did Roosters win the competition, but they gave one of the most dominating defensive displays seen by keeping the opposition scoreless in 6 games. I can assure you Scott that Trent Robinson knows what he is doing.
J. Christ
Guest
Last year was a poor tipping year for you Scotty. You wrote on 20/2/13 - "Broncos finally get an on-field general. With Scott Prince now steering the ship, they can definitely go all the way." :) Oh dear!
Muzz
Guest
Scott - Mini was at fullback on all 5 occasions last year when the Chooks beat Manly so why would they be hoping any such thing. I watched RTS play at fullback last year when Mini was out and he struggled.I think that he will eventually be a great FB and will take some time to adjust to the extra pressure and responsibility but this isn't the time as the Roosters are ripe and a chance of going back to back. Mini and RTS switch positions in some attacking structures which adds another dimension.RTS chimes in from a deep/sleeper position like he did with success against the Broncos.This has nothing to do with them changing position fulltime,just purely tactical.
Muzz
Guest
Scott - WHAT A LOAD OF RUBBISH How many Roosters tries in the Grand Final Final came from Maloney's kicks? (your hilarious) Is Maloney waving at people in the crowd or constantly organising his backs? I'm not too sure if you like getting a rise from people or have an agenda or need a new data analysis program but last year when it came to the Roosters you were as WAY OFF as your Cam Smith prediction.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Devout your list is excellent. GI is clearly number 1 Moylan is the only guy on your list I would have behind Mini.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Mark Agree...he gets paid 200k
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
MUZZ Let me put it this way...........the Roosters are playing Manly on Fri and I can assure you that they are hoping like hell that Mini plays fulback for 80 mins. let me put it another way. If RTS was the full time fullback the Rosters would firm to more than a converted try which is dramatic.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
jOHN MY BEST GUESS IS 500K OFF THE CAP.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
J. I stand by my comments. * ‘Mini’s stats as a 1st grade fullback are not 1st grade standard these days and it would be a tragedy if Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is not the new number 1. MINI DID NOT RATE IN THE TOP 15 FULLBACKS LAST YR AND STILL DOES NOT * The Roosters still lack someone to run the team and/or go-to man. TRUE. PEARCE IMPROVED OUT OF OUT OF SITE AS THE SEASON WENT ON AS DID EVERY PLAYER UNDER TRENT. * Maloney is an out and out runner with poor kicking and organising skills. TRUE AND I ALSO SAID HE IS A POOR TACKLER AND HE WAS THE WORST MISSED TACKLER FOR BACKS IN THE NRL LAST YR. * SBW, maybe it will suit his new team best if he plays 5/8. SBW ACTUALLY DID PLAY ONE GAME AT 6 AD WON THE MOM
Renegade
Guest
Checkmate ;)
Muzz
Guest
Rate this Scotty .http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IbiJSa9dbk
Muzz
Guest
All good mate
J. Christ
Guest
You don't rate 'em too good mate. Before last season you wrote on The Roar - 'Mini's stats as a 1st grade fullback are not 1st grade standard these days and it would be a tragedy if Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is not the new number 1. The Roosters still lack someone to run the team and/or go-to man. Maloney is an out and out runner with poor kicking and organising skills. Pearce is simply not a good enough organiser. SBW, maybe it will suit his new team best if he plays 5/8." 4 out of 4 wrong. Good luck with ya ratings, Scott.