‘I felt like I let a lot of people down’: Tedesco opens up on Origin opener as he prepares for major milestone

James Tedesco will join some special names when he runs out for his 21st game for the Blues, but he’s still holding onto the pain of the loss in Adelaide.

James Tedesco is hoping for a happy 21st after he felt like he let people down in the State of Origin series opener. Picture: Jason McCawley / Getty Images

Blues skipper James Tedesco says he let a lot of people down in the State of Origin series opener, but has vowed to bounce back as he prepares to join some illustrious company when he celebrates his 21st appearance for NSW next week.

The two-time Brad Fittler Medal recipient received scathing reviews for his performance in Adelaide, where he ran for a whopping 182 metres and busted six tackles, but struggled to create anything in attack.

James Tedesco produced some big numbers in game one but his lack of creativity led to some harsh criticism. Picture: Cameron Spencer / Getty Images

It led to some harsh criticism with Tedesco copping some low scores in various player ratings, although Roosters teammate Corey Allan said at the time “a Tedesco six is the same as a nine for most other players”.

Tedesco bounced back with a vintage performance for the Roosters, where he scored a double and set up two tries against Canterbury, but the good times didn’t last long as he tried hard but failed to fire in the loss to Penrith last week.

The NSW fullback was never going to be dropped and he knows the only way to silence the critics is to put in an old-school performance next week which will make people forget what happened in game one.

Tedesco played with a lot more freedom against the Bulldogs a few days after the Origin opener, and it led to him having his best game of the season. Picture: Jason McCawley / Getty Images

“For me, I felt like I let a lot of people down,” Tedesco said.

“It wasn’t about media or random people telling me how I played, because those opinions aren’t very important to me. I felt like I let friends and family down who were really excited for me to play well, and I could feel that disappointment.

“I just wanted to have a couple of days to myself to let that disappointment sink in and then move on.

“I got to play for the Roosters a few days later and I was happy. I think I got back to having fun, and I was probably guilty of carrying all that expectation on my shoulders, which doesn’t work for my game.

“I need to be light and clear in my mind, and that’s something I’ve been working on. I don’t want to carry any of that into this camp because I’ve learnt my lessons and I’m just excited for next week.”

Tedesco will join Danny Buderus when he plays his 21st game for NSW next week. Picture: Craig Wilson

Talk of retirement from rep footy isn’t on the radar for the 30-year-old fullback, who joined Paul Harragon and Steve Menzies in the top-10 Blues of all time when he played his 20th game in Adelaide.

Tedesco will join Danny Buderus and Tim Brasher on 21 after Wednesday’s match in Brisbane, while he’ll join Andrew Johns, Laurie Daley and Jarryd Hayne if he’s picked again for the opening match in 2024.

That would leave just Paul Gallen (24 appearances), Andrew Ettingshausen (27) and current coach Brad Fittler (31) ahead of him, although Tedesco isn’t focusing on individual milestones, given there are more pressing matters at hand.

“It probably wasn’t the best 20th, but it’s pretty cool to hear that there aren’t many people who have played this many games for the Blues,” he said.

“These are legends of the game, so it’s cool.

“It’s something that creeps up on you as you keep playing. It’s cool to be mentioned alongside some of the legends of the game, but it will be pretty sour if we lose in Brisbane and lose the series.

“I’m just focused on winning next Wednesday because there’s a lot of disappointment from the first game which I have to let go of.

Tedesco would need to play another three series if he wants to join Brad Fittler as NSW’s most capped player. Picture: Brett Costello

“I remember when I first started, all I was thinking about was trying to get to 10 games. Then after a while it became 20 games, but now you just have to take it one game a time, now that it’s starting to get up to those big numbers.

“It will be cool to look back on later in my career; it’s always interesting to see how many games the NSW greats have played.

“And then you look at some of those Queensland guys who have played 40 games and I know I’m not getting anywhere near that.

“But to play 20 games for NSW is a special achievement and we’ll see how long I go for.”