State of Origin 2024: Incredible Dylan Edwards numbers that sealed James Tedesco’s NSW Blues fate

Michael Maguire pointed to one moment, but Dylan Edwards’ selection over James Tedesco goes much deeper. These are the incredible numbers behind one of the biggest selection calls in State of Origin history.

Michael Maguire is set to address his NSW Blues squad selection for the series opener. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

NSW coach Michael Maguire said it was a gut feeling to axe Blues captain and fullback James Tedesco in favour of Dylan Edwards, but a deeper look reveals the serious intent behind one of the biggest selection calls in State of Origin history.

Although it is Maguire’s first foray into the high-speed, relentless nature of the Origin arena, the veteran coach’s inaugural Blues side gives an insight to the game plan he will look to use to dethrone Queensland when the series kicks off in Sydney on Wednesday week.

And one of the cornerstones is Edwards, with his superior play-the-ball speed, tackled positions and work rate.

On Monday, Maguire said he could not ignore Edwards’ claims.

“I have huge respect for all the players, my job is about making decisions for what I believe is going to take the team to success and at this moment I believe, that with Dylan, and everything he’s done in the game.”

Michael Maguire reveals the tough phone call he had to make when dropping James Tedesco. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

There was one moment from Edwards early in the second half of Penrith’s 42-0 demolition of Cronulla at Pointsbet Stadium on Saturday night that Maguire said confirmed the decision to dump Tedesco, arguably NSW’s greatest ever fullback, who had played 22 consecutive games for his state since his debut in 2016.

“I was there at the game the other night,” Maguire said.

“There was a ball kicked down the side of the field, and it could have been a 40/20, and he just sprinted down to the other side of the field.

“That effort he put in, and then from saving the 40/20, he takes the second carry, they then get down the other end of the field and put the opposition under the pump. That solidified my decision that this is where we’re going.”

Stats from Fox Sports Lab support Maguire’s claim for Edwards.

An analysis of each fullback shows Edwards has a greater percentage of faster play-the balls (56.65 per cent) than Tedesco (38.46) in general play.

Statistics courtesy Fox Sports Lab

Edwards has more metres per game (203 v 149) than Tedesco this season, a lot of those from kick returns. However, while Edwards contributes a lot of hit-ups, Tedesco accumulates more runs when he is trying to get around the defence.

In their 11 games in 2024, Tedesco has seven tries, 11 try assists, 63 tackle busts and 149 metres per outing, while Edwards has seven tries, seven try assists, 68 tackle busts but runs for 203 metres a game for Penrith.

With Edwards, 28, assuming the Blues’ No.1 jersey, the 2023 series loss has now resulted in both Brad Fittler and Tedesco, 31, losing their jobs with the Blues.

“It was tough, but I understand why James is the person he is, he was excellent actually,” Maguire said of the phone call to the Blues champion.

“I have the utmost respect for Teddy, he’s done everything in the game and I’ll hold what he said to me but I can understand why he’s going to go down as one of the champions of the game. He’s still got plenty of footy in front of him, too.”

When asked if Tedesco indicated he was available for selection going forward, Maguire said: “We didn’t get into those details, he’s a champion and he’s playing some good footy, so it was a big decision and a great decision.

“To go for Dylan, he’s a player who’s been playing at the highest level, he’s played in four grand finals, we all know his stats and he’s won three, he’s one of the most consistent players I’ve seen for a long, long time. I just felt from my gut it was the right time to give Dylan the opportunity to play.

“I’m really happy and confident that he’s going to come in and do really well.”

Dylan Edwards has spiders on him. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Tedesco’s axing paved the way for Manly veteran Jake Trbojevic to be handed the captaincy without being the skipper of his club side.

Maguire compared Trbojevic’s passion for NSW to the state’s first Origin-winning captain, Steve Mortimer.

“He probably wasn’t sure where he sat from a team point of view, but every time you see Jake wear the Blue jersey everybody knows about that passion, why everyone loves playing with him,” Maguire said.

“I go back through history to someone like Turvey. When you’re in this space, the passion those people bring, Jake represents a lot of that. People rally behind people and that’s a big part of leadership at this level.”

REVEALED: D-DAY HYNES DECISION

NSW Blues coaching staff will decide on Monday whether star halfback Nicho Hynes will have to be put on a modified training program ahead of game one.

The Cronulla no.7 sent a scare through Blues camp after he failed to finish Saturday night’s clash against Penrith due to calf ‘tightness’.

Hynes was initially taken from the field for a head injury assessment but did not return.

He missed a round 10 match against Melbourne with the same problem.

Cronulla and NSW medical staff expedited scans on Hynes’ calf on Sunday before coach Michael Maguire selected his side for game one next Wednesday at Accor Stadium.

Hynes was cleared of any serious injury but conceded on Monday as he arrived at the team hotel, he could be forced onto a modified training program this week.

“I’ll have a chat with the performance staff in here now and suss that out,” Hynes said.

“But I’m pretty confident, it’s feeling better than it felt this time last week. So it’s good signs.”

Nicho Hynes played just 12 minutes of Origin off the bench in 2023. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Hynes said he was relieved to be given the green light.

“I got the scans and both parties, the Sharks and Eels performance staff have given it the all clear to be here and get it moving. So it should be good news,” Hynes said.

“It’s great news. It was a bit of a worry there once it cooled down, middle of the game there on the weekend.

“The scans have shown us some good signs and I’ll be doing what I can next couple of days to make sure I get on the field and prepare the best I can for this team to make sure I can do a job for this team.”

Maguire is confident Hynes will hit the ground running when the side goes through its first training session on Wednesday despite concerns over a lingering calf problem.

“I reckon he’ll hit the ground running on day one. That’s what we’re working towards,” Maguire said.

“We’re really confident with where he’s at that he’ll be able to train from day one.

“I’ve got some really good staff with me, and they’re in continual communication with the Sharkies staff as well.

“He had a scan yesterday and it looked really good.

“There’s no further damage and I think it actually looked better.

“He’s got through that now, and I’ll obviously talk to my staff over the next couple of days and work out how we go about his training.

NSW Blues side for the 2024 State of Origin series opener.

“The conversation I had with him (Sunday), he was really excited that he was in the team so that was a pretty special phone call.”

Roosters half Luke Keary in the squad as cover in case Hynes goes down.

Maguire said he was prepared for the carnage that ripped apart his selections in the weeks leading into naming the team, which includes six debutants named in Maguire’s team on Sunday night.

“I’ve just learnt to take it how it comes in this role,” he said.

“Plenty of people have told me that you decide your team at 5pm yesterday, and that’s exactly what I did.

“Because I’d spoken to so many players in the wider squad, we actually sat in this room and spoke about what happens in the Origin arena could be anyone at any time, and we’ve seen that over the years on many occasions when somebody has come in and performed and become one of the all-time great players in the Blues jersey.”

BLUES & GOLD DISTRACTION?

Michael Maguire has refused to be drawn in on his interest in the vacant Parramatta coaching job, instead raising a Blues jersey to the media pack in response to questions about a return to NRL club land.

The NSW coach is adamant speculation linking him to becoming Brad Arthur’s long-term successor would not be a distraction during the Origin series, which kicks off in Sydney on Wednesday week.

“That’s all I’m going to say,” Maguire said while holding the NSW jersey aloft when asked about Parramatta on Monday.

“I’m so focused on what I have to do right now. Yeah, it’s easy (to block it out). When you do a lot of work, spend a lot of time trying to create something … those things, this is what it is all about at the moment.

Michael Maguire refused to comment on Parramatta speculation. Picture: Rohan Kelly

“One thing we have to make sure is that every moment we have, we able to create where we want to get to have success in this jersey is what it’s about.”

Maguire, along with the likes of Justin Holbrook, Jason Ryles and Queensland Origin and Cronulla assistant Josh Hannay, are in the running to replace Arthur after the long-serving coach was axed seven days ago.

The Eels missed out on their No.1 target, Wayne Bennett, after the master coach agreed to join South Sydney on a three-year deal from 2025.

Maguire, who is also contracted to the Blues for the 2025 series, insisted his focus will be squarely on NSW in the coming weeks.

API OMISSION

Maguire’s decision leave Api Koroisau out of his squad raised eyebrows, with the rookie Origin coach explaining his reasoning for picking Reece Robson ahead of the Wests Tigers rake.

“I think Reece has just been very strong,” Maguire explained at his press conference on Monday.

“He’s been consistent on both sides of the ball, defensively and with the ball. That’s just the way I chose to go.

“Yeah I spoke to Api. Api’s a great man. Obviously I’ve got to make some decisions but I’m really confident with what Reece can do. He’s a strong player.”

Just saw the NSW Origin side, is that a gee up or has Api actually been left out?

— Chris Lawrence (@chrislawrence04) May 26, 2024

Tigers great Chris Lawrence responded to the controversial selection call on Sunday night.

Lawrence wrote on X: “Just saw the NSW Origin side, is that a gee up or has Api actually been left out?

“No disrespect to Reece Robson I think he is a great player and should be in the side with Api.

“But if Api isn’t the best 9 in NSW and on par with Harry Grant as the best 9 in the game, then I probably have my eyes painted on.”

Originally published as State of Origin 2024: Incredible Dylan Edwards numbers that sealed James Tedesco’s NSW Blues fate