If not for Robbie Farah, James Tedesco would be a Canberra Raider
James Tedesco would be a Canberra Raider if it wasn’t for Robbie Farah, so the Sydney Roosters star says he will always be indebted to the Tigers veteran.
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James Tedesco would be a Canberra Raider if it wasn’t for Robbie Farah, and the Sydney Roosters star says he will always be indebted to the Tigers veteran.
Flash back to 2014 and Tedesco had agreed to a $1.8 million three-year contract with the Raiders before Farah convinced him to renege.
On the back of Robbie’s influential words, ‘Teddy’ spent another three seasons at the Wests Tigers before linking with the Roosters on a big-dollar deal in 2017.
Today, Tedesco is firmly entrenched at the Tricolours in his second season after winning the premiership in his maiden year at the club.
The Blues and Kangaroos flyer loves the Roosters but he knows his rugby league life could be different if it wasn’t for Farah.
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“Robbie knew I’d play my best footy at the Tigers compared to down in Canberra,” Tedesco recalls about Farah, who labelled the Roosters fullback the “next Billy Slater” when he was coming through the ranks at the Tigers.
“He knew with him, Mitch (Moses) and Luke Brooks that we a great spine, which is funny because things changed a year later.
“But at the time Robbie was really adamant and he knew that I had a lot to offer and he could help my game and I could help his game.
“He let me know that and with Robbie and other influences at the Tigers I wasn’t comfortable leaving.
“I left the Roosters a few years later but that is just how footy is I guess.
“You never know what is going to happen and you just have to enjoy it as it is.”
Tedesco’s mindset around the fleeting nature of rugby league is fitting given Farah’s retirement news this week.
The Tigers fan favourite called time on his stellar career on Tuesday following almost 17 seasons in the NRL.
Tedesco has a close connection with Farah from his five seasons at the Tigers, although he had no idea his mate had announced he will hung up the boots at season’s end until told by The Daily Telegraph.
“Oh has he? Oh really? - I didn’t know that,” he said.
“It was awesome to see Robbie and Benji play their 300th games in the last few weeks.
“They’ve done so much for the club. I thought Robbie and Benji were going for another year.
“But Robbie has had an amazing career. He has played 300 games, a lot for Origin and Australia as well.
“It is a pretty sad day to see Robbie retire from the Tigers but he has had an awesome career and I can’t congratulate him enough.”
Tedesco credits the influence of Farah and Marshall for helping him become the polished product that many rate the best on the planet.
“I remember training with guys like Robbie and Benji and being a bit star struck and quiet but they made me feel comfortable,” he said.
“I can’t thank them enough for how they were with me as a young guy coming through the grades.”
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