State of Origin 2018: NSW fullback James Tedesco to use his love of footy to tear Queensland apart
HE scored a try, ran for 224m, made 13 tackle busts and produced two try assists. James Tedesco did pretty good in Origin I. And playing without fear, he’s ready to tear into the Maroons in game two.
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HE scored a try, ran for 224m, made 13 tackle busts and produced two try assists in game one, but now NSW fullback James Tedesco has warned Queensland he’s primed to play even better in State of Origin II.
And he plans to achieve that lofty feat by playing like he is a kid again — even if that means running barefoot at NSW training like he did on Monday.
Maroons chairman of selectors Gene Miles declared Queensland played Tedesco “into form” in Melbourne two weeks ago, but the Blues’ No.1 isn’t satisfied with what he produced.
“I want to aim higher,” Tedesco said.
With the guidance of football guru Joe Wehbe, Tedesco was man of the match in a stunning individual performance during NSW’s 22-12 win at the MCG.
“I was speaking to Joe about this before,” Tedesco said. “He said not to set my benchmark there – set your benchmark higher.
“I want to raise that bar, I guess. I want to do that for this game.
“Aim higher. I know I can still get better. There are also things I know I can be better at. I want to go to another level.
“I was happy with my game and the man of the match (award) but I don’t want to set my bar too low, I want to keep improving.
“I don’t know if it will work out like it did the last game but I’ll be doing everything I can in my preparation to have a similar performance.
“I watched the game back with ‘Rads’ (housemate and Roosters teammate Victor Radley) at home but I didn’t really go through it with a fine-tooth comb. It was obviously a good performance I was happy with.
“I don’t know whether it will be same again this game but I will prepare the best I can and go out and do my best. I just need to try and prepare the way I did for that first game.”
Wehbe has long been Tedesco’s confidant and mentor.
And whatever advice Wehbe is dishing out, it’s working. Tedesco is playing with a clear head and the results are spectacular.
Wehbe told Tedesco to play like he did when he was a child — relaxed and with freedom.
“The thing he does is to get me to play like a kid, a normal game I played when I was a kid,” Tedesco said. “I loved it, it brings that love back.
“When you’re a kid, you didn’t overthink. You just went out there and played footy with your mates and loved it. That’s the feeling I get when I’m in the game. It’s working obviously.
“Joe came down to Melbourne. I caught up with him and my manager on Monday and then talked to him on the phone before the game.
“I talk to him on the phone before every game and throughout the week. He’s a guy who is part of my preparation now.
“I will talk to him and get some guidance, get some clarity going into games. He’s been awesome.
“He gives me confidence, some clarity. It can be a long year and there is a lot of media and a lot of external influences.
“Your mind gets filled with different things and you read different things. It becomes a bit much sometimes.
“Just talking to him, it provides that clarity for me and instils that confidence, where I’m not overthinking or playing the game in my head too many times.”
Tedesco cut Queensland apart in Melbourne. And no doubt his speed brilliantly complemented the footwork and pace of dummy-half Damien Cook.
“It was a proud moment for me, to perform at that level,” Tedesco said. “I don’t really know what you put it down to.
“I backed myself and trusted my instincts. In games like that, people are going to get tired and opportunities will come.
“We know game one was a job well done but that’s done and dusted now and we have a new job and that will be our main focus.
“It was a good win but we all feel like we can play better footy.”