James Tedesco’s flaw exposed by Raiders as calls for Joseph Manu grow louder

James Tedesco’s struggles in one important area of the game were exposed again as fans declare the Roosters must make a ruthless move on their captain.

James Tedesco of the Roosters speaks with the referee during the round 17 NRL match between the Sydney Roosters and Canberra Raiders at Allianz Stadium on June 25, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

James Tedesco’s struggles under the high ball were exposed again as Canberra survived a scare to heap more misery on the Roosters with a 20-18 win at Allianz Stadium.

The Roosters skipper was as busy as ever with 201 metres but the numbers meant nothing as he broke just one tackle and again struggled to create anything on the edges.

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The biggest concern for the champion fullback is that he has seemingly lost the ability to jump for high balls after he was caught out twice just as he was in the Origin opener when Lindsay Collins outleapt him to set up Cameron Munster for the sealer.

Canberra must have smelled blood in the water because it took them just 16 minutes to test out Tedesco who was no match for Kangaroos teammate Jack Wighton who reeled in the ball to score.

The visitors went back to the well later in the first half and were rewarded again when Seb Kris jumped above Tedesco and batted the ball back to Matt Timoko who scored to make it 18-0.

James Tedesco was roughed up by Hudson Young on multiple occasions. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Tedesco had the chance to be the hero after Collins cut the gap to just two points at the death, but the skipper couldn’t hold onto a Sandon Smith pass when he looked to be in space.

The Roosters have far bigger concerns than Tedesco’s aerial ability with the pre-season premiership fancies a win outside the top eight with the worst attack in the NRL after 17 rounds.

GOLDEN DILEMMA

The calls will grow louder for Joseph Manu to move to fullback after the Golden Boot winner was the only Rooster who looked remotely threatening on Sunday night.

Manu had just two touches in the opening 39 minutes but gave his side a sniff when he latched onto a Luke Keary offload to score a powerful try to cut the margin to 12 points at the break.

The Golden Boot winner then made it 18-12 early in the second half when he flew highest to reel in a Keary bomb before he reached out to score his second try of the night.

He went close to scoring a third after a Tedesco steal and finished the night with 106 metres, yet Roosters fans want him to get a lot more involved after seeing what he can do against the Knights a week earlier when he made nearly 300 metres at the back.

Tedesco was critical of his own performance after the loss.

James Tedesco had a horror night under the high ball. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

“I’ve just got to be better there,” Tedesco said.

“There’s not really any reason to it.

“Just got to be confident in going up and taking it.

“Those two tries cost us in the end.”

However Trent Robinson chimed in to declare Tedesco was being ‘harsh’ on himself.

“Teddy’s got the best defusal rates of fullbacks over year on year,” Robinson said.

“He’s been outstanding at those.

“He’s disappointed tonight, but he’s the safest man at the back there that the game’s seen in a long, long time.

“Teddy doesn’t like it, but that’s not a habit; that’s just a game.”

James Tedesco is going to get a mystery “calf issue” for the next 10 weeks…

Joseph Manu is clearly the clubs best player… only a matter of time before the Roosters make the call on Tedesco. #NRLRoostersRaiders#NRL

— Doz (@EAGLER0CK) June 25, 2023

James Tedesco's decline at fullback has come rather rapidly.
*Tonight he has barely jumped to defuse high balls.
*Wighton outleaps him in a canter to score from a bomb.
*Kris barely jumped to tap it back for Timoko to score.#NRLRoostersRaiders

— Anthony Morgan (@anthfieg1) June 25, 2023

Love James Tedesco, a great player for a long time. But those legs have played a loootttt of football, i think it’s finally caught up to him.

— Dom 🏉 (@domsullivan18) June 25, 2023

Game 3 is a dead rubber but James Tedesco just has to go. You need to put yourself in the very best position to win and James absolutely does not do that.

— Braden (@bradenstwit) June 25, 2023

HAMMY HELL

Raiders veteran Josh Papalii is facing a stint on the sidelines after he limped off with a hamstring injury just 10 minutes into Sunday’s contest. The powerhouse front-rower has been outstanding for Canberra in the middle after he announced his sudden retirement from State of Origin, but he’ll be sweating on scan results with even a minor strain set to keep him out for a few weeks.

It’s a big blow to their middle rotation although Joseph Tapine showed yet again that he is one of the elite props in the game with 147 metres and three offloads.

The injury didn’t slow down the Raiders who are in the top eight after their ninth win this season, all of them by single digits.

Joseph Manu of the Roosters was just outstanding. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

FORWARD THINKING

Victor Radley’s season from hell could get worse after the firebrand forward was placed on report for a high shot on Jarrod Croker that forced the Raiders veteran off in the final few minutes.

This was Radley’s first game back from a three game ban for headbutting Dragons prop Blake Lawrie, and his horrible judiciary record means any charge would likely result in a lengthy ban.

It’s the last thing the Roosters need with several stars already missing, while things got worse on Sunday with Angus Crichton failing to return after half-time due to a knee injury, while Egan Butcher failed an HIA and Jake Turbin left the field with a rib complaint.

- with news.com.au

Originally published as James Tedesco’s flaw exposed by Raiders as calls for Joseph Manu grow louder