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While the past few rounds have been Origin auditions, players have now entered the phase of showing why they deserve to remain there. This was the case for some big stars during the Roosters’ 25-24 win over the Bulldogs on Sunday, but none more so than Roosters and Blues skipper James Tedesco.
Teddy has occupied most of the headlines following NSW’s loss to Queensland in the Origin opener on Wednesday night. But his performance during the Roosters win which included two tries, one assist, 11 tackle breaks along with one line break may be enough to take some of the weight off his shoulders for a little while.
“It felt good today,” said Tedesco after the game. “I’ve deserved the criticism, and I just wanted to get back to my best instinctive footy.”
NSW assistant coach and Fox League commentator Greg Alexander believed he had done that.
“The critics, I think you made them eat their words today,” said Alexander.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson was not surprised by the efforts of his captain.
“That’s what champions do,” said Robinson.
“Teddy is never going to talk his way out of something. Champions assume the pressure that is involved and show you what they can do…..and that’s what happened.
“He carried us right from the start today. Put us on his back and played footy.”
Having not faced each other since Round 8 last season, both sides came into the game desperate for a win. The Roosters have come under fire after three losses in a row including a last-minute defeat at the hands of the last-placed Dragons, while the Bulldogs are trying to shake off an injury-affected start to the season that sees them with just five wins to their name.
After an error-filled Origin debut, Tevita Pangai jnr kicked off his campaign to retain his spot by scoring the first four-pointer on Sunday. When Josh Addo-Carr and Reed Mahoney combined for the Dog’s second in the next set, the Roosters found themselves trailing 12-0 after 17 minutes.
But the Tricolours hit back when Luke Keary broke through the defensive line, and a flying Tedesco backing up on the inside crossed to get his side on the board.
The Roosters skipper levelled the score only minutes later when he grabbed his second try for the day. He almost had a hat-trick close to halftime, but an obstruction call on Burton saw NO TRY flash across the screen, and the teams heading to sheds locked at 12-12.
The Bulldogs were dealt a blow when hooker Reed Mahoney failed a late first-half HIA and was ruled out for the remainder of the game. Addo-Carr tried to keep his side on track, showing his electric speed early in the second half, running away for a length of the field try to give the Dogs back the lead.
The tit-for-tat antics continued as Tedesco shook off a few defenders to offload to Junior Pauga to score on his debut for the Roosters, only for Addo-Carr to return serve as he crossed for his second minutes later.
The tide began to turn in the final stages of the game, when the Roosters looked to take control. A Joseph Suaalii penalty conversion following saw the score levelled once again levelled, with the teams locked at 24-24 with eight minutes on the clock. As cool as you like, Keary slotted a field goal minutes later to give the Roosters the lead for the first time in the match.
Bulldogs winger Jake Averillo thought he was on his way to winning the match for his side as he made a break down the sideline, but he was called back after the referee ruled a forward pass during the play. Addo-Carr would probably like to have a do-over for his last play, kicking the ball down field with 30 seconds to go for it only to be collected by the Roosters who held on for the win.
“I thought for big periods of the game we were probably the better side but they were just too good in the end,” said Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo.
“They nailed the last ten minutes and we didn’t.”
Of all the Origin stars backing up this weekend, no one was feeling the pressure like Tedesco. The Roosters and Blues captain has been copping it from everywhere this season for his poor form for his club, and while no one could deny his effort during the NSW’s loss to Queensland in Origin I, the scoreboard along with his lack of impact was enough for many to call for him to be dropped from the State side.
His performance on Sunday may have been enough to silence the doubters…..for now.
Is a great performance against a struggling side enough to keep those who think his best days are behind him silent?
Bulldogs players Josh Addo-Carr and Tevita Pangai jnr also came under heavy criticism for their performances in the Blues Origin defeat.
Both put in huge efforts for the Dogs on Sunday, doing all they could to get their side the two points. TPJ ran for 104m, was brutal in defence and scored the opening try for the game, while besides for the last play of the game, the Foxx was electric, racing away for two tries and setting up another.
“I thought they were both good,” said Ciraldo of the pair’s efforts on Sunday.
“They were really disappointed losing an Origin game……and it’s how you bounce back from it……..and I think they did their best for the boys today.”
Their teammate Matt Buron was the 18th man on Wednesday night and also used Sunday to push his case on why he should be in the NSW top 17.