James Tedesco on NSW Blues axing and re-call, reveals message of support for injured fullback Dylan Edwards

James Tedesco has spoken for the first time since being axed and subsequently recalled to the NSW State of Origin side, revealing he has spoken to injured first-choice fullback Dylan Edwards.

Michael Maguire has called on James Tedesco.

Recalled NSW fullback James Tedesco will have just two training sessions to prepare for the State of Origin opener on Wednesday after his dramatic return to camp.

The former Blues captain arrived at the Blues hotel at Sydney Olympic Park on Sunday afternoon just hours after fullback Dylan Edwards was ruled out of Origin I with a quad injury.

“It was a bit crazy. But it’s obviously a huge honour and privilege to be back in NSW camp,” he said.

“I’m obviously disappointed for Dylan with how it’s happened. But it’s a good opportunity for me.”

Tedesco, who was dropped for Penrith’s premiership-winning fullback in coach Michael Maguire’s original squad, has been all class in his recall despite comments from Maroons great Gorden Tallis claiming there would be an element of embarrassment about returning after being sacked as captain.

But Tedesco was quite the opposite.

The 31-year-old was calm and confident when speaking for the first time since he was axed on Sunday night, saying he has no point to prove in front of what ticket sales indicate will be a crowd of more than 80,000 fans at Accor Stadium.

James Tedesco arrives in Blues camp. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“I just want to do what’s best for the team, however that looks for me,” he said.

“I’m excited for Jakey (Trbojevic) to lead this team, I’m really close to Jakey, I know he’s a proud and passionate New South Welshman, so I’m stoked for him to have that honour.

“I just want to go behind him and follow him to a win. I obviously want to put my best foot forward and play some good footy, but that’s my mentality every game anyway.”

Tedesco was rushed into camp on Sunday, missing the Roosters NRL clash with the Cowboys.

He will hit the ground running on Monday with the Blues’ final big session of camp, where he will work quickly to fit into a brand new Blues spine including Jarome Luai, Nicho Hynes and Reece Robson.

The Blues will then have captain’s run on Tuesday before the Origin opener.

“I’ve played with most of these guys or I’ve been in camps with pretty much all of them, it’s not like I don’t know any of them,” Tedesco said.

“I know how most of these guys play and I know on a personal level so that definitely helps coming into camp and knowing the guys. I’ve got a couple of training sessions with them together, so just building that connection. It’s a different preparation than I’ve had before.”

Tedesco’s recall happened less than 24 hours after scans ruled out Edwards with a low-grade hamstring strain, which is expected to sideline him for a week or two.

He was set to make his long-awaited debut for the Blues before pulling up sore after an opposed session in the Blue Mountains.

James Tedesco sent a message of support to Dylan Edwards. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“I’ve just seen him briefly. I sent him a message. But it’s hard, that’s life sometimes. Bad luck happens,” Tedesco said.

“He definitely deserves the spot here and it’s just how things have worked out. So it’s obviously disappointing for him but it’s an opportunity for me as well.”

When asked if he thought he would have the opportunity to wear a NSW jersey again he was philosophical.

“Honestly, I accepted I wasn’t going to be playing, and now I’m back playing. It’s a bit of a rollercoaster but I’d always be ready to put on a NSW jersey and represent the best I can.

“There’s been injuries all throughout the year so you never know what will happen, but I definitely accepted this week I wasn’t going to be playing, I was going to be watching from home and cheering on the boys.

“I said leading up to this game I would always back whatever Madge chooses and I did that. And now I’m back playing, so it’s funny how the world works.”

HOW TEDESCO RE-CALL UNFOLDED

Michael Maguire says he feels shattered that Dylan Edwards has fallen short of his dream State of Origin debut.

The NSW coach has also explained the “seamless” decision to parachute former Blues captain James Tedesco back into the team after Edwards was forced to withdraw with a quad strain on Sunday.

“I’m gutted for Dyl,‘’ Maguire said.

“Seeing his face, it is shattering when you see one of your players go through that.

“Dyl was doing really well training-wise, he was outstanding.

“Teddy (Tedesco) will do the same, we all know he’s one hell of a replacement.‘’

In a stunning development just three days out from Wednesday’s Origin I clash with Queensland in Sydney, Tedesco will have just one ballwork session on Monday to combine with the Blues new-look spine of Jarome Luai, Nicho Hynes and Reece Robson.

Dylan Edwards was ruled out with a calf injury. Picture: Rohan Kelly

The shock withdrawal of Edwards from Origin I was required after the champion Panthers fullback felt a twinge in his quad at the completion of a ballwork session in the Blue Mountains on Saturday.

“We’d finished training and he did it during his extras at the end,‘’ Maguire said.

“He felt it in his quad and felt nothing of it and then the Doctor had a good chat with him and we got a scan there this morning and it showed there was a one to two week strain there.‘’

NSW officials had reached out to Tedesco and the Roosters on Saturday to alert the longest-serving fullback in the Blues history that they needed him to be ready to join the Blues if Edwards was to be ruled out.

That call came around 8am on Sunday, confirming Tedesco’s Origin comeback was on.

“It was neck and neck as far as the original decision was concerned and while I chose to go with Dyl, Teddy has been fantastic,‘’ Maguire said.

“As soon as I told him, he said, ‘Madge I just want the best for NSW.’”

With the Blues headed back down the mountains on Sunday to complete their preparation at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence at Sydney Olympic Park, Maguire said he would sit down with Tedesco at the team hotel to commence going over the battle plan to beat Queensland.

“I’ll grab him straight away,‘’ Maguire said.

‘Having said that, I’ve already done a lot with him in our previous spine meetings through the year.

“Really, to me it’s seamless for him to come in because he’s been a part of everything we’ve done.

“He’s been on the journey with us.‘’

Tedesco’s call-up also means he is able to extend his record breaking consecutive streak of games for NSW. He will play his 23rd straight game.

The injury is a cruel blow for Edwards who had just pipped Tedesco to play his first game for NSW.

The NRL has signed off on Tedesco’s call-up after he was not named in the original 20 man squad.

While Edwards is out, the Blues received some good news with Nicho Hynes and Liam Martin cleared to play.

Hynes’ back-up Luke Keary has returned to play for the Roosters. Joey Manu is expected to start at fullback in Tedesco’s place with Michael Jennings at centre.