James Tedesco will get one over Valentine Holmes in epic fullback finals duel, says Anthony Minichiello
IF you’re sitting down to watch the Roosters take on the Sharks on Saturday night, you better have refreshments — because the battle between James Tedesco and Valentine Holmes is mouth-watering.
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EXPECT a masterclass when you put the two form fullbacks of the NRL into one epic battle.
Former superstar No. 1 Anthony Minichiello believes James Tedesco and Valentine Holmes are primed to scorch the Allianz Stadium turf on Saturday night when minor premiers the Sydney Roosters take on Cronulla.
Their opposing styles mean fans will be treated to the full breadth of a fullback’s attacking repertoire.
“Teddy sticks around the ruck and has those little plays with his half and five-eighth,” Minichiello said. “His ball- playing ability out the back of those block plays on the wide shifts are one of his strengths.
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“Val Holmes’s running game is incredible. He can hit a hole, he’s a great mover, great runner of the ball and the change in direction at speed is phenomenal.
“The match-up is so mouth-watering. I can’t wait.”
Like their playing styles, the two stars’ respective finals series resumes could not be any more different.
Holmes, 23, was part of the Sharks’ premiership-winning team in 2016, while Tedesco is preparing to play his first finals game since making his NRL debut in 2012.
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Tedesco might not have finals experience but he has a particular trait that will lift him on Saturday night.
“Big-game players, like all the best players in the NRL, don’t get overawed by the occasion and that’s what it is,” Minichiello said.
“Even with the build-up, the crowd, the noise, they still manage to play their own game and are still willing to try things and play what they are comfortable with.
“Other guys tighten up in situations and pressure does funny things to different players.”
Tedesco’s ability to gel with his new teammates was questioned at the start of season when the Roosters struggled for consistency.
But Minichiello, who has mentored Tedesco at his old club, said now that the Blues fullback was comfortable with his defensive responsibilities his attack had flourished.
“A lot of his game at the start of the year was concentrating on defence with the structure we wanted to play in,” he said. “Now he has come into his own with the inside balls and the ball-playing.
Holmes had his own challenges at the start of the season. He had to prove his credentials after a rocky start at fullback.
Minichiello spent three seasons on the wing for the Roosters before moving to the back and he knows how challenging the shift can be.
“You can’t go straight from wing to fullback and kill it straight away,’’ he said.
“They are completely different positions in defence and in attack and how you need to be situated on the field for kicks, like high balls.
“He (Holmes) is a supreme athlete but it was always going to take a little bit of time to adjust and get used to it. Now he has come into his own.”
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