State of Origin 2024 analysis: James Tedesco and NSW Blues’ missing 50 metres
A difference in ball-in-hand playing styles between the recalled James Tedesco and injured first-choice fullback Dylan Edwards may force a late rethink from the Blues’ brains trust.
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The stats may suggest otherwise but those close to the NSW camp insist James Tedesco’s return will be a seamless transition. It certainly seemed that way as Tedesco trained with his NSW teammates for the first time on Monday morning, a session that may be as important as any in his storied State of Origin career.
Tedesco, snubbed in favour of Dylan Edwards for the opening game of the Origin series in Sydney, was back in the fold and keen to make up for lost time.
The Sydney Roosters captain only arrived in camp on Sunday morning but was front and centre on Monday at the NSW Centre of Excellence, the team having made their way down from their Blue Mountains hideaway in the lead-up to the series opener at Accor Stadium.
Tedesco wore blue boots and a broad smile. A week ago, his Origin career appeared over. On Monday, it had been revived and who is to say it won’t go beyond this week.
The quad injury that sideline Edwards may prevent him playing again before Origin II which would make it hard for him to be considered for selection, giving Tedesco the inside running to extend his time in a sky blue jersey.
Even if Edwards is available for the second game in Melbourne, how can Tedesco be dropped if the Blues win and he stars? It’s an issue coach Michael Maguire will no doubt confront - happily mind you given it will mean they are ahead in the series - if it comes to that.
Maguire’s immediate priority, and that of Tedesco, is making sure NSW get off to a flyer in Sydney after enduring a weekend of tumult.
Edwards’ 11th hour injury threw a spanner in the works given the Blues had spent a week working on how to best accommodate the Panthers star.
Edwards eats metres for fun. His kick returns are among the best in the game, as is his play the ball speed. He averages about 50 more metres a game than Tedesco and history has shown every inch counts in Origin. Those metres could be invaluable.
NSW would also likely have planned for Edwards to play mainly on the right hand side of the field, as he does with Penrith. If Maguire opted to steal from the Panthers system, that would have left Luai to patrol the left and Hynes to run the show, ala Nathan Cleary.
*Statistics courtesy Fox Sports Lab
Tedesco tends to bounce out of tackles, occasionally drift sideways and play either side of the field, which may force a late rethink from the Blues’ brains trust.
There were times during last year’s series when Tedesco was accused of overplaying his hand, leading to claims that he had crowded out his halves and become too dominant.
Noticeably, he played his best in game three when he was less involved. There will no doubt be a desire on Wednesday night to show that he should have been there in the first place.
Tedesco will have a natural urge to prove a point but he will need to temper that emotion and make sure that doesn’t come at the expense of the team.
He’s old enough and wise enough to reign things in but Origin does funny things to even the most experienced footballers, pushing their buttons and taking them out go their comfort zone.
Few have as much experience as Tedesco but this has been a foreign lead-up for him. There’s also the natural urge as a long-time captain to have his say, although he will need wary of overstepping the mark given the leadership is now in the hands Jake Trbojevic.
“It’s not too often that you get someone like Ted who will play his 23rd game on the bounce,” Blues forward Isaah Yeo said.
“He’s captained his state and had success with NSW, so it’s a seamless transition in that he’s played with a lot of the boys before so the systems are all pretty similar.
“We’re very lucky in that regard that for something like that to happen so late, we’re able to bring in someone with his calibre and it’s happened so seamlessly.”
Queensland know Tedesco well too. They have managed to control his influence over the past two seasons with Billy Slater at the helm and his return will likely hold few fears for the Maroons.
Tedesco finished Monday’s session by practicing a short kick-off. He may have a few tricks up his sleeve for the Maroons yet.
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