James Tedesco says his apology to Canberra coach Ricky Stuart was ‘the hardest thing to do’

HE’S all smiles now, but a week ago, this man was at the centre of a fierce controversy. Now we know why he endured it - for the sake of a beautiful bromance.

James Tedesco at Wests Tigers after changing his mind on a deal to sign with the Canberra Raiders. pic. Phil Hillyard

JAMES Tedesco says apologising to Canberra coach Ricky Stuart after going back on his deal with Raiders was the hardest thing he’s done.

Stuart was the first person Tedesco called after deciding to turn his back on a big money move to the Raiders to remain with the Wests Tigers last week.

But the boom fullback admits it took him a while to summon the courage to punch Stuart’s number into his phone.

James Tedesco, happily among his teammates at Wests Tigers training.

“Breaking it to Ricky was the hardest thing to do,” Tedesco said at Tigers training on Tuesday.

“I spoke to him and went down there and said I was excited about coming and then, to make the decision to not go down there, it was very hard to do.

MORE: Tedesco backs out of Canberra Raiders deal

“It took me a while to build up the courage. I was very apologetic to him.

“It was probably the hardest decision of my life. It was very stressful leading up to it.

Ricky Stuart was understandably disappointed with Tedesco’s decision.

“I did it all myself. I didn’t speak to my manager about it. I just knew what I had to do; I knew the decision that I had to make. Ricky was disappointed and you expect that.

“I told him I was keen to go there but, in my heart, I couldn’t leave the boys and I couldn’t leave the club and I hope he understands that.

“Obviously, I got a bit of backlash but you have to expect that.”

Tedesco finally took the field against Newcastle on Sunday.

On Sunday, Tedesco took the field for the first time since injuring his ankle in round three. He says he was happy to put the saga behind him.

“To get it all done and just get out there on the weekend and play football was great,” Tedesco said.

MORE: Robbie Farah discusses Tedesco’s backflip

“It wasn’t something that was planned, all this commotion.

“I probably made that decision too quickly and then tried to convince myself it was right for me.

“Obviously, the boys wanted me to stay — that was a big thing for me. That was the big consideration.”

Originally published as James Tedesco says his apology to Canberra coach Ricky Stuart was ‘the hardest thing to do’