Finally he made his mark. James Tedesco caught an outside bit of shape, burned the inside man and got himself into the clear. Bradman Best, as all good backs should, was in support and got the try.
It was a move that Tedesco hasn’t always had in his locker this year. Notably, the player he cruised past was Daly Cherry-Evans, never the best defender and one of the few men on the field older than him.
If it was his last act in Origin, it will be one remembered fondly. Certainly, there’s a strong argument that it should be the last thing he does in a Blues jumper.
Teddy debuted in 2016 in a dead rubber, and is the only man in blue remaining from that side. Tyson Frizell, the last hold out, was canned before Game 3 and Jake Trbojevic, also towards the end of his rep career, did not debut until 2017.
Indeed, Jurbo and Teddy are the only hangovers from the Laurie Daley era at all, with the likes of Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Damien Cook and Josh Addo-Carr joining for his first game in 2018, along with the non-injured Tom Trbojevic, Latrell Mitchell and Nathan Cleary.
It might be that this victory presents the perfect opportunity for Tedesco to walk off into the sunset. Next time around, with another year’s worth of footy in his legs, the choice might not be his.
The fullback has already achieved pretty much everything in the Origin arena, with three series wins, a Wally Lewis Medal in 2019 and three Brad Fittler Medals as the best in NSW.
Throw in the World Cup as captain of the Kangaroos and caps for his Italian heritage and you have a rep career that is right up there with the best of them.
Those closest to him must be having the conversation, either now or at the end of the year, about whether he should jump before he is pushed.
If a Kangaroo team was picked tomorrow, Tedesco would be in it because he is the incumbent captain, but were it picked on form, he would not be. Reece Walsh, behavioural indiscretions aside, would be the form fullback.
For the Blues, there is a strong case for a stylistic change – a Dylan Edwards-style player – or an injection of fresh blood in Clint Gutherson, Scott Drinkwater or, if they were ever fit, Turbo or Latrell.
NSW has more fullbacks than it can currently squeeze into a team – so much that incumbent Dally M Medallist Nicho Hynes doesn’t even come into the reckoning despite having played there for much of his career.
If a new coach comes in, then all bets might be off. They could well sit down with the captain and suggest that his work is done, the same way that Paul Gallen and Robbie Farah sat out after Daley left.
Gallen took the initiative and retired himself after 2016 – even suggesting that Farah should take over from him as captain – but the Tigers legend was dumped after being moved to the bench in clubland. He never returned to Origin.
It’s a cautionary tale for Tedesco. Gallen left of his own accord and was repeatedly asked back. Nobody said that to Farah.
Gallen’s decision to leave rep footy behind him also prolonged his club career, giving him another two and a half years at the top. Tedesco, again, might do well to take note.
As captain of NSW and Australia, he was the only player to feature in every game of State of Origin and for the Kangaroos at the World Cup in 2022, plus a long season with the Roosters.
That made him the fifth most active player in the world. Of the Kangaroos, only Val Holmes played more – by dint of the Cowboys going further in the NRL – while Jarome Luai, Stephen Crichton and Dylan Brown all went to the Grand Final and the World Cup semis, as did the most active player, St Helens and England fullback Jack Welsby.
Crucially, none of those players are anywhere near as old as Tedesco – Holmes is next closest at two and a half years younger – and none of them are also the captain of every team they are in, with all the extra mental effort that requires.
There was a period last season where the captaincy aspect really seemed to drag on Tedesco. Across the 2022 Origin period, he lost five of six games: two for NSW and three for the Roosters.
He was close to the best individual in all six, but was forced to front the press conference on each occasion and promise to do better.
This year is even worse: Teddy has lost eight of the ten games he has played since the start of May. At least now, with the CBA-induced player media boycott, he doesn’t have to sit through losing pressers.
Tedesco is a champion and would never admit it, but all that has to catch up with him. The constant games and constant pressure must take a toll.
Bowing out of rep footy is the easiest and most sensible way to make it stop. He might continue through another round of Kangaroos fixtures – if they ever take place – but beyond that, it should be it.
Few will have earned their carriage clock as much as the Blues captain. All he needs to do is to know when it’s time to pick it up – before someone else makes the call for him.
Slammin_Sam
Roar Rookie
Sorry I needed to add the word final.....assume you know all about that as well....you seem to know everything
wilbas
Roar Rookie
I will agree to captaincy being relieve of by Tedesco...He as captain should have led us to victory in first game leading by 2 after emptying QLD petrol tank and having one in the sin bin then Tedesco should grab the game and steer the team in behind him and direct where we were going. Instead he allowed circumstance to arise and we just reacted to what was happening.That is not a leaders role.This is not the first one that has slipped out of our grip and the continuance of QLD scoring with less then 5 minutes to half time is a special that should be voiced out on the field..'5 to go they are going to throw the kitchen sink at us'....and have all your young minds aware that it is coming...Did Tedesco or Fitler place them on standby.?
langparker
Roar Rookie
Yeah, rugby league project relies on people like us to update & comment so only reliable as the inputter. I’ve always been disappointed that the BRL game data doesn’t appear for ex-Brisbane players but all the BRL records were lost in the 1974 floods. Had a few mates who played for Qld pre-origin and although it’s generally referenced, the number of games for both clubs & state aren’t recorded. Wikipedia lists the squads for each game. Luai had a losing series this year as it was 0-2 with him in the squad. If they’re not out there for the decider after it’s 1-1 then technically you can’t really call it a losing series for the individual but that’s open to interpretation. Cory Horsburgh didn’t seem to be down in the dumps like a series loser even though he never played in a winning side while Cobbo was undefeated in 2023 origin.
Abbot
Roar Rookie
I’m not suggesting Moses could take the halfback jersey, Reynolds and Hynes in particular would be better options. Just stating in general that Cleary should see the 7 jersey as no longer guaranteed
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I just went off Rugby League project which had him playing 4 full series in a row from 2018 for 3 losses.
langparker
Roar Rookie
Better check your facts FT, Munster debuted in 2017 game three & since has missed the final game in 2 series because of injury. It was 1-1 with Corey Norman as his replacement in the final game of a losing series and 1-1 when Dearden replaced him with Qld winning last season, so he’s only just played his fourth ‘full series’ for 2 wins. Seem to recall him being knocked out in the in goal & replaced in the first few minutes in one game as well but can’t recall the year.
langparker
Roar Rookie
I’m as maroon as you can be and I just hope you make the selection panel for NSW. If Moses beats a fit Cleary for the halfback spot, it will be giggles all round north of the border.
langparker
Roar Rookie
I’m not bagging Cody Walker in any way, just pointing out he hasn’t won anything yet. Watched him as a mature Qld Cup 5/8 for a few years & he always had the skills, maybe not the discipline until his late 20’s but have seen plenty who never made it. As for Best, I’m yet to be convinced he’s a long term origin centre on one game & his club form has fluctuated so his future is in his own hands. I thought Qld’s right side defence issues were more about Nanai than DCE as he was a bit indecisive on a few plays & that happens with 20 year olds ( everyone forgets he’s just a kid). I think, in hindsight, Qld’s change of tactic starting Grant & bringing Hunt off the bench threw things off a bit as well but it proves you only have to be 2-3% off and the game can get away from you. Most origin series go 2-1, they did even during that great Qld domination so 5% matters. In game 2, NSW had a few guys not involved in contact until the last few days before the game, in retrospect I think that showed in their performance and that’s on the selectors and coaches.
Hondo
Roar Rookie
Drinkwater Gutherson and Edwards will never play fullback for NSW if and when Tedesco retires from SOO, as then either Latrell Mitchel or Tom Trbojevic will be fullback for NSW. Why play the two best fullbacks in the NRL in the centres and not in their favored position when there are specialist centres like Bradman Best available. Whoever out of Turbo and Mitchell isn't selected at fullback is the other centre. Thats the reality no one in their right mind is going to pick anyone else for fullback in the future to replace Tedesco while superstar fullbacks like Turbo and Mitchell are available.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Munster lost 3 out his first 4 full SOO series. Some massive floggings included . Luai has now lost 2 out of 3. No great shame in that.
Nate
Roar Rookie
Difference being, in clubland, Cleary is always in form and out and out the best half in the comp. Teddys lucky to be top 5 on form nowadays.
Worlds Biggest
Roar Pro
It would come down to who is in form at the time. A fit and firing Trell and Turbo get picked ahead of Best IF both are not selected at Fullback. I don’t think many would argue that. Best was great last night and has certainly put his hand up for the future. No one disputes your notion that QLD won the series comprehensively. That is a given. Cody has been integral to a great attacking unit at Souths for the last few seasons. He was very unlucky not to feature in the earlier games. I think it will only take a GF win to silence the doubters regarding his big game temperament.
Dodgy Dragons
Roar Rookie
The problem with Teddy this year is that he is trying too hard. I think he may also have lost a yard of pace. The roosters form has been average this year, and Teddy has it in his head that it’s solely up to him to fix it. He plays his best when concentrating on good kick returns, scheming for a gap in the defensive line and support play, or following a quick dart out of dummy half and supporting. When he tries to create outside of this, it goes pear shaped with him running around like an extra on the Benny Hill show, and he doesn’t have the pass of others to be effective setting others around him up. This is pretty much how he has been playing all season, with the roosters forwards not rolling forward as they have in previous years, and the halves going missing/ chopping and changing all year. Last night was a good example of where he stepped back and played the support role to Cody and Moses, let them create with Martin and other, And run into space. He almost butchered the To’o try, but thankfully was cutout, otherwise the ball would have died with him. Whether Freddy told him to butt out last night, or the experienced Cody Walker we will never know, but his game was back to the level we are used to.
Albo
Roar Rookie
That was a try to JAC for all money and Teddy butchered it. But what about the missed tackle on Cobbo tip toeing down the sideline and Teddy failed to lay a hand on him ? And as for the first Hammer try, that should have been covered by Teddy, but he went the wrong way to cover the left of the posts, the ball went right to Munster who could do with it what he wanted in setting it up for Hammer. Turbo had no chance, but Teddy should have been coming across in cover. He failed in basic fullback defensive play. Otherwise NSW wins that match comfortably.
Cam
Roar Rookie
Sexton looks a pretty average half and might be lucky to have a decent NRL career, never mind steering Qld around at Origin. Duffy is a kid and although has good talent as a junior, often it takes years and years to develop into something resembling an Origin #7. Oloapu will be playing in the backrow in the next year or two. NSW on the other hand have elite young halves in Cleary, Hynes, Moses, Burton (yes more of a 6 but can play 7), but they also Adam Reynolds, Luke Brooks, Luke Keary, plus a heap of young guns that have time on their side to develop with Lachlan Ilias, Jonah Pezet, Isaiya Katoa even Jack Cogger looks class in the Panthers side at the moment. I just reckon Qld will be forced into betting the farm on Sam Walker being the man for the foreseeable future.
wilbas
Roar Rookie
@ 1.08 mins Tedsco receives ball with Addo Carr infront of him and can't pass and by the time the fox gets back to receive ball the defense has formed and Tedesco had every right to try to score from there. https://www.nrl.com/news/2023/05/31/maroons-v-blues--game-1-2023/
wilbas
Roar Rookie
the tackle he missed was him slipping over which many players did...If Addo Carr had not dived at the Hammer and stayed in the hunt then Tedesco could have showed the sideline to Hammer...He got out jumped on a bomb and replays show the QLD forward had a clear run down the middle of the park...His team mates offered no protection. The did not pass the ball is the idea the winger was not marked at all..that was not entirely true..it was an each way bet and he drew the short straw.. NSW in Adelaide could not get clean ball to outside men and could not defend on the edges either...It was not as if Tedesco held the weight of that loss on his own...Their first try from a Munster kick to the Hammer had turbo's name all over it..he could not stretch out and sprint and was left standing as the hammer passed him to dive on the ball.
wilbas
Roar Rookie
That's right...his game is strength to break tackles and speed to go through small openings..We don't know if he is fighting an injury,
Emcie
Roar Guru
Hope the shed roof can take it...
wilbas
Roar Rookie
I think we consider Tedesco has aged and he is waning in his powers.That is not true so we have to consider something else has effected his game and that something may be an injury. Although his speed got him through the line 3-4 times what is evident is he was not not breaking away from contacts like he did in the past....We could say a slight lack of speed is the cause or does he have an upper body injury such as a shoulder problem that prevents him breaking away from tackles. Because it is evident he did not in this series break away from tackles as he is well known for.So we have to see how he fares after the off season to see if injury is the cause of his lack of form.