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.
Robbo
Roar Rookie
Downward dogs :stoked:
Albo
Roar Rookie
Such nonsense written about that Origin 1 match. Firstly, Teddy had a shocker with at least three tries handed to QLD because of his poor defensive game. No one was ever suggesting he be dropped,, but he did have a shocker of a game , that cannot be denied. "After an error-filled Origin debut, Tevita Pangai jnr........" - More hyperbole ! He made one error trying to offload a pass .
EastsFootyFan
Roar Guru
I think a lot the criticisms of him in Origin one were overblown to be honest. I was initially pretty hard on him as well, but having rewatched Origin 1 now I actually don't think he had the worst game. Slipping over in greasy conditions was unfortunate near the end, but to be honest that play was created because Cam Murray didn't number up and shut down Munster in attack and just let him run across field and generate an overlap. Yes, he definitely could have passed to the Fox in the 19th minute, but if you watch the replay again it was made hard by the fact that when Teddy had received the ball Addo-Carr had already run ahead of Teddy (seemingly expecting to have gotten the ball instead), which limited Teddy's options and stunted things a bit. In all honesty, I think his most disappointing effort was in stopping Queensland's third try in cover defence after Luai had already come across field and slowed Cobbo down. Teddy just came in too high and didn't do enough. In the context of the game that was the worst mistake he made I thought.
The Barry
Roar Guru
“After an error-filled Origin debut” TPJ played 27 minutes for 11 hit ups, 99 metres, 13 tackles and ONE error Anyway, Teddy and the Fox showed what they’re capable of when they’re played in their natural roles and positions instead of forcing them into some sort of quasi hybrid Panthers Frankenstein monstrosity (that’s a knock on Fittler, not the Panthers) Satisfied with the Dogs effort and execution for most of yesterday but they lost their minds in the last 15-20 and threw the game away. Most disappointing the senior players seemed to lead the carnage
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
The update Dutski on the NRL Triumvirate, Dutski is that nothing has changed. The Panthers, the Roosters and the Storm are still the NRL's protected teams. The officials try to muddy the waters though at times to throw NRL fans off the scent. Case in point a 6-6 penalty count with a 4-2 tackle restarts against the Panthers. But then, when 1st plays 17th on the ladder it isn't much of a gamble now, is it? As for the Rabbitohs salary cap, no problems there. I have already explained in detail how Souths are well.under the salary cap. The chooks may have more to worry about next year though with Dominic Young and Spencer Leniu joining the Tri-colours without loss.
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
After a start to the season where he has lacked speed and acceleration, Tommy Turbo had one good game to get him to Origin where he proceeded to lay an egg. So a NSW fan probably shouldn’t be jumping out of their skin based on that Tedesco performance and just assume it will be replicated
Dutski
Roar Guru
Can I just get an update on the NRL Triumvirate? Are the Cowboys now in? I mean, they got given a try off a dodgy pass so they must be. So if they’re in that means it must be the Cowboys, the Riff and that team sitting up near the top of the table with the flexible cap that lets them sign the rep players coming off contract… So NQ, Penrith and Souths. Is that right? :silly:
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
It was so forward you could write a book about it.
adam smith
Roar Rookie
Well said GB!
Redcap
Roar Guru
A 'foreword pass'. How does that work, Duncan?
Farmyard Friend
Roar Rookie
It’s all a conspiracy even the FORWARD pass ruling.
Cam
Roar Rookie
Thank God for the Bulldogs. As a Qlder, I was worried Latrell may have been moved to fullback.
RLFan
Roar Rookie
A lot of people thought Tedesco had a bad game in Origin, so can't see the punters who said so are eating their words. He stood out today against the Dogs, but there's a bit of difference between them and the best that Queensland can offer. I have been one of his admirers , but I was critical of him in the State of Origin. Not because he was out jumped by Lyndsay Collins or that he slipped over and let in a try, but BECAUSE HE WOULD'NT PASS THE BALL bombed a try and stifled the attack. I was amused at the commentary on Fox sports after the game it was all about the Roosters and how brilliant Teddy was, the Bulldogs didn't get a mention, despite almost winning the game. It seems it was a sin to criticise him.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Tabasco scored two tries in a five minute period, then reverted to his ‘NSW form’ for the rest of the game. Only a Politis-sponsored foreword pass call at the end of the game got the Roosters home.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
No, Pickett and Dutski love a bit of banter and are free to reciprocate when the Bunnies go through a rough patch. Besides, an open forum isn't a Gen-Z safe space. You aren't being forced to read my comments if they strike a nerve. And I never even said anything about the NRL Triumvirate conspiracy to give the Roosters, the Storm and the Panthers a Bye before Origin 1 so they wouldn't miss their rep players. Then they gave them the longest possible break after Origin scheduling all 3 teams to play on Sunday. Coincidence? :laughing:
Farmyard Friend
Roar Rookie
Good evening GB. Do you realise your long-running anti-Rooster sentiment is both tiresome & childish.
Ben Pobjie
Expert
Yep, all those critics who said James Tedesco wasn’t good enough to score two tries against the Bulldogs sure are eating their words. Now that he’s had a good game against the 14th team on the NRL ladder, we can see that everyone who said he played badly in Origin was wrong!
Caractacus
Roar Rookie
Talk about you’re only as good as your last game, a dozen insipid performances are forgotten after one good showing against an under strength bottom four side. I hope that Teddy does get back to his best but let’s not get carried away.
Bloke7
Roar Rookie
I'm not eating my words...why couldn't he swap the performances around. That'd make very happy. Without him Roosters get nowhere near us today.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Well done Averillo for that match winning try! Oh, wait...