State of Origin: Blues star James Tedesco leads all-star list of Blues free agents
He’s got the all clear for the State of Origin series opener but James Tedesco’s signature is still up for grabs, along with eight other NSW stars as the NRL’s free agency frenzy hits overdrive.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
James Tedesco has declared he’s ready to go for NSW on Wednesday night — but the most-prized contract in the NRL is now up for grabs.
Passing a gruelling test on his knee injury at Blues training in Wyong on Saturday, Tedesco leads an all-star list of off-contract NSW Origin talent, who as of Sunday, are free to commence negotiating with rival clubs.
Squad members Josh Addo-Carr, Dale Finucane, Nathan Brown, Jarome Luai, Angus Crichton and Tedesco are among the nine Blues stars without a contract beyond the 2021 season.
Tedesco, the Roosters No.1 man, indicated his desire was to remain at Bondi with the tricolours for at least another three years.
But he conceded that the length of the 2020 season had impacted his ability to meet with his advisor Joe Wehbe to discuss the Roosters offer — or if there was interest from elsewhere.
“I haven’t given it too much thought, I’ve got another year next year and I’ve just been trying to get all the on-field footy stuff sorted and when this is all done, I’m sure I’ll get it sorted,’’ Tedesco said.
Kayo is your ticket to the best sport streaming Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
“Joe is someone I’ve trusted and spoken too for a long time now, so he’s looking after me.
“He’s my right-hand man who I have leaned on for my off the field stuff and on field as well.
“It’s not going to be a complicated process, after this me and Joe will sit down and talk about it all and sort it out.’’
Addo-Carr’s future has been dissected in great detail for at least the last four months, with the Melbourne Storm premiership-winner returning to Sydney for family reasons for the next phase of his NRL career.
The try-machine has attracted interest from the Wests Tigers, Bulldogs and Rabbitohs, with all three clubs eager to replenish their backline with serious talent.
Addo-Carr admitted he was struggling to come to terms with the fact that last week’s grand final was his last appearance in Storm colours.
.
“It still hasn’t hit me. It feels like I’m still there to be honest because I’m so close with everyone at Melbourne,’’ Addo-Carr said.
“I’ve got lifelong friends there, they’re like a second family.
“It doesn’t feel like I’ve left.
“I didn’t want to distract the team (by having a farewell) in any way like that.”
The Tigers want Addo-Carr as a fullback in 2021 — a switch that has triggered debate over the gamble of moving one of the world’s best wingers from the position where he has made his name.
“Wherever I go, I’ll play wherever,’’ Addo-Carr said.
“The biggest thing is family — that’s what it is.”
NSW coach Brad Fittler has been vocal in the past about not wanting players involved in his team who have the distraction of needing to determine their future while in camp.
The timing of this year’s Origin series and the NRL’s November 1 date — which allows off-contract players to discuss their future with rival clubs beyond next year — impacts Fittler’s mantra.
“I think every player who comes into our camp understands that the focus has to be on preparation for the game,’’ Fittler said.
“I would hope that doesn’t change.’’
One area Fittler will have no fears over is the sight of a free-running Tedesco, who proved he was ready for Origin I in Adelaide on Wednesday night.
“It’s not 100 per cent healed but the strength around it is pretty good,” Tedesco said.
“I had to get through most of that session. I did contact.
“I did all the teams stuff – attack and d (defence). I got through that pretty well. I got a few knocks as well. I got through it all fine. I had to do a few max speeds. Speed and agility felt good.
“I didn’t hit max speed. I was doing a bit of team stuff but short-sharp stuff. I had to get max speed about 80 to 90 per cent.
“As long as it pulls up sweet. That was a big box I ticked – the team stuff, contact and getting a few knocks.”