James Tedesco cleared for Game I of State of Origin series

The NSW Blues have made a decision on superstar fullback James Tedesco, who has donned a heavily-strapped left knee at training.

James Tedesco with his knee strapped doing some light running during the NSW Blues training session.

New South Wales Blues fullback James Tedesco has been cleared to play in game one of the State of Origin on Wednesday evening.

Tedesco was in doubt for the series opener after sustaining a knee injury during the Sydney Roosters’ semi-final loss to the Canberra Raiders.

But after a fitness test on Saturday morning, the 27-year-old confirmed he has been given the green light, despite his heavily-strapped left knee.

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“It’s not 100 per cent healed, but the strength around it is pretty good,” Tedesco told reporters on the Central Coast.

“I had to get through most of that session. I did contact … I got through that pretty well. I got a few knocks as well. I got through it all fine.

“I didn’t hit max speed.”

NSW Origin training on the Central Coast.

With Tedesco donning the No. 1 jersey for the Blues, Clinton Gutherson will make his Origin debut in the centres.

Although Gutherson has excelled as a fullback for the Parramatta Eels, he is not fazed by the change in position.

“We’ve got a lot of quality players in this team that are really going to help,” Gutherson told Triple M on Saturday.

“I’ve got (Josh Addo-Carr) outside me, so we’ve got a bit of pace there.

“It’s great for the team that Teddy’s cleared to play, because he’s done everything possible to be able to put himself in this position, and it’s a huge boost for us.

“Can’t wait to get out there and play with him.”

BAD NEWS QUEENSLAND: James Tedesco is ‘good to go’ #allhailKingTed

— christian nicolussi (@mrchrisnico) October 31, 2020

Tedesco was named the Brad Fittler Medal recipient last year, awarded to the Blues’ best player of the State of Origin series.

Several NSW fullbacks have fallen to the injury curse ahead of Wednesday’s highly-anticipated clash at Adelaide Oval. Clive Churchill Medal winner Ryan Papenhuyzen has missed out on a potential Origin debut after injuring his calf during last weekend’s NRL Grand Final.

Meanwhile, Manly Sea Eagles fullback Tom Trbojevic has been ruled out of the series with a shoulder injury.

Originally published as James Tedesco cleared for Game I of State of Origin series