Sport Confidential: James Tedesco shapes as Kangaroos Test bolter

SPORT CONFIDENTIAL: One of the NRL’s rising stars is shaping as a bolter for next month’s Anzac Test while there could also be a shock omission.

WESTS Tigers star James Tedesco is shaping as a good old-fashioned bolter for the one-off Test against New Zealand at Hunter Stadium on May 6.

And North Queensland’s Michael Morgan is being discussed heavily as a bench utility.

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga is still nailing down his Test team but there could be up to six changes from the side which lost last year’s mid-season Test against the Kiwis 26-12 in Brisbane.

One possible shock omission may be Sharks and NSW skipper Paul Gallen, who didn’t play last year’s Test.

James Tedesco is shaping as a good old-fashioned Test bolter. Picture: Gregg Porteous

Tedesco has been brilliant this season and may force his way into Meninga’s side. Darius Boyd would switch to the wing and Greg Inglis into the centres.

Test winger Alex Johnston will struggle to hold his position, while the Aussie bench may also be ­altered. Luke Lewis, Trent Merrin and Nate Myles will certainly be considered — but won’t be guaranteed selection.

Parramatta’s Semi Radradra will be considered for Johnston’s wing spot, while Andrew Fifita is another bench contender.

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He may not admit it publicly but Queenslander Meninga knows he will have to select a fair share of NSW players to avoid an interstate political storm.

Paul Gallen might be omitted from the Australian side. Picture: Brett Costello

Although difficult to omit, Gallen is no certainty for selection despite being assured he will lead NSW in this year’s Origin series.

It is understood Meninga and one team adviser Darren Lockyer have ­already pencilled in Broncos captain Corey Parker at lock, Gallen’s position for the Test.

They’ve told insiders that Parker is their preferred candidate because of his second-phase skills and ability to create try-scoring opportunities for his backs.

Gallen has not played for Australia since 2014 but was hoping for a call-up this year after a two-year hiatus. One of the Tests he missed was played during his brief suspension for the use of banned supplements.

No stopping the Tiger town rot

THE rot is starting to set in again at the Wests Tigers, where Jason Taylor is desperately trying to maintain control of the players.

After two promising early wins, the coach has struggled to dictate the structure of the game since the return of Robbie Farah to the hooking spot.

The free-flowing game the Tigers played in those early matches, led by the star halves Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks, has disappeared to make way for the plodding forward-driven style favoured by Farah.

Make no mistake, these two blokes have not kissed and made up and it’s a matter of time before there is a blow-up.

Robbie Farah and coach Jason Taylor during Wests Tigers training. Picture: Gregg Porteous

Everything points to a big penalty

EXPECT an official announcement on Parramatta’s salary cap punishment to arrive next week.

The points deduction will be big. You won’t be seeing the Eels play semi-finals football this season.

Crisis looms over salary cap mess

WHY aren’t players re-signing with clubs for next year and beyond?

The NRL and the ARLPA need to convene to sort out the salary cap for 2018, 2019 and 2020 because player managers are hamstrung by the lack of a definitive figure for any of those three years. Unless an agreement is reached soon, the game will reach a crisis point and clubs will have no idea how to sort out the mess.

Boyd the one for Queensland

TAKE it as read that Darius Boyd will be Queensland fullback for Origin I in Sydney with Greg Inglis to remain in the centres.

Many thought Inglis would be shifted back after Billy Slater went down injured.

New Maroons coach Kev Walters is poised to name Boyd at fullback with Justin O’Neill or Dane Gagai in the centres.

Gagai would be favourite although North Queensland’s O’Neill has a strong combination with Johnathan Thurston.

Darius Boyd is set to play fullback for Queensland. Picture: Gregg Porteous

Sharks fan proves a class act

A SHARKS fan took vision on his phone of Chris Heighington’s son, Rocco, being run over by a buggy after last Sunday’s match at Shark Park.

Media reps knew a bloke called Eddie had captured the horrible moment.

Unlike the person who filmed and sold the drama with Mitchell Pearce, Eddie waited in the players’ tunnel for an hour after the game to tell Heighington.

The vision wasn’t sold and will never be seen. Here’s to Eddie for his scruples.

Ex-girlfriend keeps love rat in picture

WE hear of an NRL player who was caught cheating on his girlfriend. It’s why his form of late has been modest, at best.

But his girlfriend wasn’t going to walk away meekly. She took photos of herself with another bloke — and sent them to her footy star ex.

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