NRL 2024: Inside James Tedesco’s transformation into elite playmaker that has Roosters’ ‘super six’ ready for Storm clash

The Storm may have their ‘Big Four’ but the Sydney Roosters have a ‘Super Six’. And since 2018, when they all take the field in a finals match they are undefeated. See the full analysis.

This is the stunning late-career transformation of a rugby league champion.

In a Roosters reinvention, skipper and fullback James Tedesco has become an elite ball-playing first-receiver through the absence of injured halfback Sam Walker.

That is the opinion of three of rugby league’s sharpest minds.

Tedesco set up two tries against Manly last weekend as a ballplayer and will again attack his new role in Friday night’s preliminary final against Melbourne at a sold out AAMI Park.

Tedesco’s new job will also ease considerable pressure on Walker’s replacement, Sandon Smith.

Sydney Roosters captain James Tedesco. NRL Imagery

“Teddy is the key for the Chooks, definitely. Attacking-wise, he’s involved in everything. He set up two tries last weekend against Manly by ball-playing one off the ruck,” said former Roosters premiership-winning forward Bryan Fletcher.

“The fact there’s no Sam Walker, Tedesco is stepping into that ball-playing role. I don’t know whether ‘Robbo’ (coach Trent Robinson) is telling him to do it.

“When ‘Teddy’ was younger, he was a five-eighth, but he hasn’t played there for a long time and it’s certainly a part of his game that has developed, his ball-playing.

“Teddy has been brilliant all year. He’s in some form. Billy Slater was the best fullback I have ever seen but Tedesco is a rung below, but not far off. Teddy plays nearly every game, he never gets injured. He is so resilient.”

James Tedesco has become an elite ball-playing first-receiver in the absence of injured halfback Sam Walker. Picture: Getty Images

Former Test star Greg Alexander added: “I’ve noticed over the last six to eight weeks that whenever ‘Teddy’ touches the ball something happens.

“At first receiver, he’s putting players into space with his passing, making a bust or, at worst, getting a quick play the ball. He’s making an impact nearly every touch.”

Tedesco’s ball-playing style has also impressed Fox League’s Matty Johns.

In his column in today’s Daily Telegraph, Johns writes: “Last week again highlighted how dangerous James Tedesco is attacking the defence directly as first receiver.

The Roosters' Super Six: (L-R) Victor Radley, Luke Keary, James Tedesco, Joseph Manu, Daniel Tupou and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

“The opening try he laid on for Victor Radley was a perfect example. You need a structure and some set sequences, but use these as a set up for the faster, more reactive plays which will follow once you’ve disrupted their defence.

“Tedesco is not nearly as big a threat on wide sweeping plays. So, in these instances, look to pass short to your back-rower and bring Tedesco around on the next play as first receiver against the retreating defenders.”

Tedesco is also part of the Roosters’ ‘super six’ ready to ignite a Melbourne boilover.

There are only six current Roosters players – Tedesco, Daniel Tupou, Joseph Manu, Luke Keary, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Victor Radley – that have been regular starting players in all seven seasons since 2018.

In that time, the six stars have not lost a final together, winning six from six. With one or more of the six missing, the Roosters have won just three of nine finals over the same period.

Last weekend’s qualifying final against Manly was the first time since the 2019 grand final that all six players had played together.

And guess what? Another win.

“It’s do-or-die so there’s nothing going to stop us going after the game from the start. We’ve got momentum coming off that win (against Manly) but we have to go up another notch,” Tedesco said.

Keary said he and his big-match teammates would need to rise to another level against Melbourne.

“Every finals series I’ve gone through, you need to be at your very, very best to go to the last week and win it,” Keary said. “We know what finals footy looks like down there in Melbourne. It’s a tough place and environment to go but we’re definitely ready for it.

“We’ve still got some stuff we want to improve on. We’ve got to improve to match it with Melbourne this week.”

Originally published as NRL 2024: Inside James Tedesco’s transformation into elite playmaker that has Roosters’ ‘super six’ ready for Storm clash