Tedesco on stand-by for NSW after Edwards suffers quad strain at training

James Tedesco could make a shock return to the NSW side after the man who replaced him, Dylan Edwards, suffered a quad strain.

Edwards, one of six Blues debutants, suffered the setback while doing extras after Saturday’s training session in Leura.

Dylan Edwards suffered a quad strain at Blues training on Saturday.Credit: Getty

NSW coach Michael Maguire is still hopeful Edwards will be fit for Wednesday’s series opener at Accor Stadium, but an SOS has been sent out to Tedesco in case the Panthers fullback comes up short.

A final decision will be made on Sunday morning, which could result in Tedesco being pulled from the Roosters’ clash with North Queensland on Sunday afternoon.

Maguire made the difficult decision to select Edwards over Tedesco, the incumbent skipper and No.1 who had represented NSW on 22 occasions.

However, the Roosters star holds no grudges and will make a shock return to the Origin arena if Edwards wakes up with soreness on Sunday.

A decision will be made on Sunday morning on whether James Tedesco is pulled from the Roosters’ clash with North Queensland.Credit: Getty

“It’s just precautionary,” Maguire told this masthead. “We may have to make a decision tomorrow on whether ‘Dyl’ will play. The doctors and physios are talking about it, we have some very qualified people who know exactly where it is at. They did say that we will get a better indicator in about 12-18 hours.

“I spoke to ‘Teddy’ and said that this is the scenario and ‘Teddy’ is very keen to play, obviously. It’s just a matter of working through it and making a call in the morning.”

Maguire immediately touched base with Roosters coach Trent Robinson and Tedesco as soon as the injury occurred. Tedesco has no qualms about representing NSW again despite the fact Jake Trbojevic will remain as captain.

“We made the decision [to pick Edwards] and now we’re very fortunate to have one hell of a fullback that sits there ready to go,” Maguire said. “‘Ted’ is a pro, he loves the state. He’s still got that inside him, ‘Teddy’ is exceptional.

“We’re just being aware of all the scenarios. I do think ‘Dyl’ will get through, he’s just got a bit of tightness and is recovering. That’s where we sit.”

Maguire has had a horrific run of injuries ahead of his first game as NSW coach. Nathan Cleary, Tom Trbojevic, Cameron Murray and Mitchell Moses are just some of the superstars unavailable for selection due to injury.

“We’ll be right,” Maguire said. “We’ve had a good camp, we’re building, we’ll be right to go.”

Maguire may also be without one of his contingencies for the rest of the series. Canterbury star Josh Addo-Carr suffered a hamstring injury in Friday night’s win against Newcastle and is expected to be sidelined for eight to 10 weeks.

Rookie pairing no easy target for Maroons

Queensland will be wasting their time by targeting NSW’s Origin debutants Joseph Suaalii and Zac Lomax, with the rookie Blues expected to be paired together on the right edge.

That’s the opinion of senior Blues players, who have been impressed by the maturity and calmness displayed by the newcomers in camp this week.

Suaalii and Lomax were spotted on the same wing as the Blues completed their main hit-out on a chilly morning in the Blue Mountains on Saturday. The NSW squad had an opposed training session against the Panthers’ Harold Matthews and SG Ball players, including Judah Galuvao – the front-row son of Panthers’ favourite Joe Galuvao.

The Blues are reluctant to break up Stephen Crichton and Brian To’o on the left, leaving Suaalii, 20, and Lomax, 24, to form a combination on the right. The Maroons are sure to send traffic that way to test the mettle of the pair on the biggest stage.

Zac Lomax warms up at Saturday’s training session.Credit: Getty

But NSW right-edge back-rower Liam Martin said he had no qualms about the untried Suaalii-Lomax pairing parked outside him.

“It won’t be a [risk] when you consider how professional Joey and Zac are,” Martin said. “Joey is 20 but it’s like he’s 30 and has been in the game ten-plus years with how professional he is and the way he carries himself. It’s the same with Zac.

“They won’t get rattled in the big moments. They’ll be fine. They’re confident in their ability, and so they should be – they’re phenomenal athletes and intelligent with footy IQ. They’ll be fine.”

Martin carried a glute injury heading into camp, but declared he would be fit, and completed Saturday’s session.

Crichton, who had strapping around his left knee, was giving nothing away about the Blues’ line-up, and said coach Michael Maguire had rotated the outside backs so they were prepared for all scenarios. Crichton plays right centre for the Bulldogs but is equally comfortable on the left, while To’o can play left and right wing.

The safer option would be to pair Lomax and Suaalii with an experienced winger or centre. But Crichton, like Martin, had full faith Suaalii and Lomax would form their own potent combination – and had been particularly blown away by Suaalii’s confidence.

“I’ve been learning off him more than he’s learning off me,” Crichton said. “The way he talks in meetings is really cool. It surprised me he’s only 20.

“The way both of them have been playing, they’ve been knocking on the door of [playing Origin] for a while now.

“We’ve had little convos about how we can help each other out on the field, and to make each other better. There is a confidence in the group.”

Nicho Hynes did not look troubled by a calf injury that forced him to sit out Wednesday’s first session.

Canterbury were unhappy Matt Burton was unavailable for Friday’s win over Newcastle because he was NSW’s 18th man, but the players made sure they FaceTimed him in his hotel room as they belted out the team song at McDonald Jones Stadium.

The Blues return to Sydney on Sunday and will resume training at their Sydney Olympic Park base on Monday.

Christian Nicolussi

NRL is Live and Free on Channel 9 & 9Now

Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.