NRL 2020 Rabbitohs v Roosters: James Tedesco breaks down intense rivalry
In exclusive columns, James Tedesco and Damien Cook open up on the longest-running rivalry in rugby league, revealing fan abuse, pride and why to expect on-field fireworks.
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To be completely honest, I didn’t know or think too much about the rivalry with South Sydney until I arrived at the Roosters.
But now it’s a rivalry that is almost impossible to forget, mostly because South Sydney fans are always ready and willing to remind you about the hatred between the two sides.
People in the street, when we come up against each other, start to heckle you around town.
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One time I was waiting outside Victor Radley’s house in Coogee and there was a bloke across the street sitting in his car.
He kept looking over, I thought he must know me from somewhere. But then he speeds off yelling ‘Go Souths, f*** Roosters’ at me.
But I get heckled deep in Roosters territory, too.
Even in Rose Bay, where I am now, there is a fish shop that has Rabbitohs posters everywhere. I don’t know why, Rose Bay is definitely a Roosters area but they have Souths stuff everywhere and when I go in they always throw a cheeky ‘Go Souths’ at me.
It goes to show just how much this rivalry still means to everyone, even today, after 112 years.
The passion you see from the fans always spills onto the field, too.
Friday night at Bankwest Stadium will be no different. We’ll get our final words of inspiration from the skipper, Boyd Cordner, in the sheds right before we take the field.
He normally doesn’t say too much but when he does talk it’s with authority and passion. On Friday night he won’t need to say too much though, we’ll be fired up and ready to go.
The Rabbitohs have had their fair share of headlines over the last couple of months and some might say that is a distraction for them.
But there is no way we will be taking them, or our former teammate Latrell Mitchell, lightly.
Latrell will want to prove a point in his new position at fullback on Friday night.
We know first hand exactly what Latrell can do with the ball because he did it for us over a number of years. He is one of the best attacking players in the game.
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He’ll be doing everything he can to stop us so we’ll be expecting a big game from him.
A lot has been said about Latrell’s move to fullback but I think everyone has been a bit harsh on a young player who has done so much in the game.
But with fullback it’s not an easy position to just jump into and play a full season in. It takes some time, getting the movements right, the support play, organising a defensive line, there are so many things that people don’t notice from watching on TV.
You only realise the nuances of fullback when you play in the position. There are things that take time to get used to but there is no doubt he’ll get to that elite level, but it won’t happen overnight.
While I wish Latrell well on Friday night, but we won’t be satisfied with anything other than a win after starting the season with straight losses.
We had the same issues in 2018 when Cooper Cronk and I came in and we didn’t start too well, but the more we trained together, the more our combinations came together we started to have some wins.
Ultimately, we won the competition.
It’s important to allow some time for Kyle Flanagan, who is still only 21, to find his feet in Cooper’s jumper. His teething issues are no different to what happened in 2018.
In the first two games we weren’t clicking as a spine but we have worked on that since we’ve been back from the break at training to make sure everyone has a clear idea of what their job is.
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We had a warm up drill at training last week with the forwards and edges doing ruck defence.
Now let me start by saying Liam Knight and Kurt Dillon are good mates, but that doesn’t stop them ripping in.
So they were out there, and it got pretty willing.
To the point where Wayne had to actually pull them out and have a word, just to calm it down.
It was one of those moments that tells a team where they’re at.
I can’t wait to run out against the Roosters on Friday night. It’s been a long wait for everyone who loves rugby league.
But I can honestly say, despite what some outside our club might have you believe, some of our training sessions these last few weeks have been among the best I’ve had at Souths.
There is a real buzz around the joint. And the best thing about all the off-field talk associated with our club is it is now behind us.
I believe the club has dealt with it very well, the individuals have dealt with it the best they can, and the rest of the players have supported those guys.
But now it’s time to let our footy do the talking.
We weren’t happy with the first two rounds so the intensity at training has definitely gone to another level, as Liam and Kurt can testify.
But I think a big part of it also relates to the fact that there is no reserve grade games at the moment, so the boys are out there fighting for positions.
It is not a bad thing because it shows they are ready to step up if they get their chance.
Which brings us to Cody Walker.
I know we’re going to miss Cody.
We have built up a really nice combination and if I ever take an opportunity I know he is going to turn up and probably turn those half opportunities that into something.
But the other day when we found out that he wasn’t going to play we moved on, straight away.
I don’t pick the team but Troy Dargan has definitely earned his spot to get his debut.
It is a big ask, for any rookie, to go into his first game against the reigning premiers.
But the way to look at it is that this is also an amazing opportunity.
One day Troy will look back knowing he made his debut against the best team in the world.
There is no harder task but that is what you want as a player.
The other thing about Troy is that he is strong defender. He is not too big but he is a good ball runner and he will hold his own in defence. I have all the confidence that he will get the job done.
He will also have Cam Murray on his edge.
Cam is one of those players that doesn’t always have a lot to say but when he talks you listen. And lately Cam’s been having a bit more to say.
I have confidence in all our forwards.
Again, there has been a lot of outside talk after losing Sam and John Sutton, and also big George.
But all those young forwards have an extra year of experience, and the blessing in disguise with Sam is that last year he missed a bit of footy.
So we had to play without him and we won some games, their confidence grew.
Jaydn Su’A steps in. Jaydn probably brings that aggression we lost a little bit with Sam.
Liam is probably the loudest of the group, that’s his personality. But he is also one of those players if you ask something of him he is going to do it.
No matter how tired he is.
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Tom has been one of our best front rowers for the last couple of years, and I don’t think Junior Tatola realises his potential just yet.
We talk about Josh Papalii. Junior is that same shape, has that speed and footwork. The more he plays the better he will be.
I know there has been a lot of talk that it is not going to be the same for us this year for many reasons.
But from where I stand there is a lot of energy and belief in this team.
Maybe with those louder voices gone, it can be a good thing for these boys.
This is their time.