Wests Tigers coach Jason Taylor believes his star fullback James Tedesco is ready to play State of Origin football for NSW.
Taylor downplayed Tedesco’s hopes of playing interstate rugby league last year.
But the 23-year-old presented an irresistible case in the Tigers round two 36-22 win over Manly at Brookvale Oval on Monday night, with three tries in a man-of-the-match performance.
Blues great Andrew Johns, speaking on Triple M, said Tedesco would handle the step up to Origin and Taylor agreed.
“Yep, absolutely. We talked about that this time last year and I didn’t think he was,” Taylor said.
“He played every minute of every game last year and in my opinion, that’s a really easy decision.
“There’s not many better finishers in the game.”
With St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor indicating he could move Josh Dugan back to fullback, after the Dragons’ underwhelming start to the season, Tedesco and the Blues incumbent custodian could be locked in a battle for the NSW No.1 jersey.
Dugan was named as the Blues’ best player last season and if coach Laurie Daley is unwilling to move him from the back, Tedesco could play on the wing given Brett Morris is unlikely to play in the 2016 Origin series due to a knee injury.
Tedesco also declared himself prepared for Origin after the win over Manly.
“I think I am ready,” Tedesco said.
“I just want to continue that form and if I do get that call-up I’ll take it with both hands.
“Coming into last year I had three or four seasons but only played a handful of games coming off serious surgeries. This year coming into pre-season the body was feeling really good.”
Tigers halfback Luke Brooks said Tedesco could add another dimension to the Blues attack.
“He has really come on as a ball player at fullback,” Brooks said.
“That is an area NSW have struggled with and I really think he could add something for them there.
“He would be a great addition to the NSW side.”
Muzz
Guest
Where's Birdy? I'll swap you Jennings for Tedesco. I'll throw in a case of Tabasco and as many camels as you wish. Don't worry, the ink is still wet.
Doug Graves
Guest
Nailed it Sleiman!
Julian King
Roar Guru
Creagh?! Do you mean Merrin? I suspect Josh Jackson will be in the back row mix. As for Dugan, Queensland would much rather see him at centre than at fullback. It's like when NSW picked Brett Kenny at centre instead of five-eighth. The Maroons always breathed a sigh of relief. I'm a huge Tedesco fan, but if fit and firing, Dugan is hands down one of the first picked for NSW.
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
How about all those puff peices going around lately about how Bozo has now usurped sliced bread as the best thing both this century and last. The Faily Telegraph Im not surprised by, but Andrew Webster? I thought he'd started turning it around since moving from News...looks like I'm mistaken. I thought he was made of sterner stuff. Anyway, Fulton and King Joffrey Hadley are untouchable. Everyone is too scared to criticise either of them. So once again NSW will lose another series this year, and once again, no one will tell the Emperor he is starkers. We'll all complain about it, but anyone in the media who values their job, won't. I just hate how everyone talks about Qld being unstoppable, but seriously, with the resources at their disposal, NSW should have been much more competitive than they have been. The common denominators have been Thurston, Smith, Slater...and Bob Fulton.
Muzz
Guest
He was ready last season.
cecil
Guest
yes Austin and Tedesco are a must if fit, but I don't like their chances if Daley and Fulton are picking the side.
John
Guest
Daleys team will be if all injury free.. 1 Dugan 2 Morris 3 Jennings 4 Morris 5 Ferguson 6 Josh Reynolds 7 Pearce 8 Woods 9 Farah 10 Gallen 11 Cordner 12 Bird 13 Creagh /Hoffman 14 J Tamou 15 A Fifita 16 D Klemmer 17 L Lewis
Jonathan
Roar Rookie
I'm guessing Jordan Rankin goes from the wing to FB, and either Watson Heleta/Kam-Chee/Justin Hunt/Addo-Carr moves onto the wing.. I'd go with Addo-Carr based on pre-season form
Cadfael
Roar Guru
It would be great but I can't see it. If Dugan and Pearce are fit and available, they will play. Expect Pearce to be seen at the right places and doing the right thing for an early return.
Agent11
Guest
Tedesco and Blake Austin have to be in the NSW side if fit.
Agent11
Guest
then coached NSW to their worst ever loss....
jamesb
Guest
+1 Although to be fair to Daley, he is the only NSW origin coach that has won a series over the last ten years.
cecil
Guest
He is ready no doubt, but for QLDs sake i hope Daley picks the same team and not on form.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
I don't think that Tedesco is in the right group to play Origin. My money is on Dugan. Since when has form been used by Daley for Origin selections.
East Bound & Down
Guest
I'd have to say with Daley / Fulton coaching NSW will once again get belted so for the Tigers sake let's hope they leave them in tact so they can have a decent year under JT . The experience may benefit them but if they are on the wrong end of a substantial thumping it may do the opposite .
Seen it all before
Guest
Who will cover him in the Tigers side during Origin?
peeeko
Guest
spot on Sleiman
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Tedesco may be ready for Origin but I'm not sure Daley is.