Buzz: Why Tommy Turbo’s a better buy than James Tedesco

The stunning return of Tom Trbojevic prompted Phil Rothfield to declare he’d take the Sea Eagles No.1 over Australian fullback James Tedesco if given the option. WATCH AND VOTE

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The sensational return of Tom Trbojevic almost single-handedly orchestrated Manly’s first win of the season against the Warriors in Christchurch on Saturday.

Returning from a pre-season hamstring injury, Trbojevic scored a double and assisted a further two tries to inspire the dominant 46-12 victory.

Sydney Roosters livewire James Tedesco produced a similar performance in the win over Parramatta, bagging a brace of tries and assisting another.

The versatility of Tom Trbojevic gives him greater value at rep level. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

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The performance of Trbojevic prompted Daily Telegraph reporter Phil Rothfield to declare he’d take the Sea Eagles No.1 over the Australian fullback if given the option.

“James Tedesco’s a great player, we all agree. But if those two are on the open market, Trbojevic and Tedesco, I’d go Tommy Turbo,” Rothfield told the Monday Bunker.

“The reason being is that I think he’s just about as good a fullback as Tedesco but he can play wing in rep footy, he can play centre in rep footy and I think he might even be a more complete player.”

Fox Sports personality Matty Johns says the star fullback will keep his club comfortably out of wooden spoon territory this season.

“A lot of people are talking about Manly getting the spoon, but if Tom Trbojevic is fit I don’t think they’ll be anywhere near it,” Johns said.

“His brilliance and his presence out on the field, it just totally transformed the Manly side up against the Warriors.

James Tedesco secured the Kangaroos fullback role last year. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)

“The Warriors were poor no doubt about it, but I’ll tell you what, there’s not many players in rugby league who can just go out on the field and do what he did.

“His confidence and swagger just bled through all his teammates.

Monday Bunker guest panellist Dan Ginnane highlighted Trbojevic’s value to the Sea Eagles.

“Is there any player that’s more important to their team than Tom Trbojevic is to Manly?” he said.

“Maybe Cam Smith, maybe Josh Hodgson, but there’s the change in Manly, and DCE, (who) is a totally different player. Those forwards were totally different. He changes everything about them.”

Originally published as Buzz: Why Tommy Turbo’s a better buy than James Tedesco