James Tedesco’s emphatic showing to lead Roosters over Bulldogs

Sydney Roosters star James Tedesco has made his State of Origin doubters look foolish with a scintillating display on Sunday.

GOSFORD, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 04: James Tedesco of the Roosters is tackled during the round 14 NRL match between Sydney Roosters and Canterbury Bulldogs at Central Coast Stadium on June 04, 2023 in Gosford, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

James Tedesco proved it’s never smart to write off a champion after the Roosters skipper bounced back from some scathing State of Origin criticism to inspire his side to a thrilling 25-24 win over the Bulldogs.

The Roosters only led Sunday’s game for five minutes thanks to a late Luke Keary field goal after Blues brothers Tevita Pangai Junior and Josh Addo-Carr had the Bulldogs in position to heap more misery on the Tricolours.

It’s been a tough few weeks for the pre-season favourites who had lost three games on the trot and parted ways with assistant coach Jason Ryles, so it was perfectly set up for Tedesco to deliver something special to save their season.

The superstar fullback was heavily criticised for his performance in the State of Origin opener which was typically busy but lacked any fluency in the red zone on a night plenty of his teammates also struggled in attack.

But champions always find a way to respond, and that’s exactly what the Roosters, Blues and Kangaroos skipper did with a stunning display in Gosford to back up his outstanding game against the Dragons a few weeks ago.

Tedesco was involved in everything good the Roosters did on Sunday, backing up two breaks to bag a first-half double before he was denied a hat-trick due to an obstruction.

He then turned provider for Junior Pauga who bombed a try moments earlier but made up for it with a four-pointer in his club debut.

Tedesco was heavily involved in his side’s fourth try as some quick hands down the short side saw Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii – who spent much of the contest on the right wing – stroll over to make it 24-all before Keary potted a shot from 22 metres out.

Tedesco was back to his best. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

Bulldogs players were furious that play was allowed to continue for the Aukuso-Suaalii try given Paul Alamoti was left dazed on the ground after heavy contact in the previous tackle.

The Roosters realised that he was still on the ground so they quickly shifted to where he normally would have been defending to take advantage of the overlap.

There was more drama with the Roosters lucky not to be reduced to 12 men at one stage when Sitili Tupouniua whacked Blake Wilson high with a tackle that is likely to earn the ire of the match review committee.

Roosters coaching consultant Cooper Cronk said in commentary that the hard-hitting forward was lucky to stay on the field considering the game has done so much over the past few years to reduce high contact.

Paul Alamoti was left dazed after a heavy hit. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

He didn’t have the greatest debut, but Tevita Pangai Junior is firmly in the mix to keep his NSW jersey after sending an ominous message to Blues coach Brad Fittler.

The wrecking ball played like a man possessed in Gosford, running for a game-high 104 metres in the first half which included a spectacular one-handed pick up to open the scoring off a deflected grubber.

Pangai played with aggression and took it to the Roosters’ forwards through the middle without feeling the need to overplay his hand like he did at times on Wednesday night.

While Pangai provided the physicality, Blues teammate Josh Addo-Carr brought the fireworks with several eye-catching moments to justify his tag as the fastest man on the planet.

The ‘Foxx’ was barely sighted in the Origin opener but was untouchable on Sunday, scoring two tries – including a long-range stunner off a scrum – while he also burst free to set up Reed Mahoney a minute after Pangai’s try.

The Bulldogs can consider themselves unlucky not to win given they played the entire second half without Mahoney after he failed his HIA following an accidental knee to the head from Suaalii.

Originally published as James Tedesco’s emphatic showing to lead Roosters over Bulldogs