‘I pretty much deleted all social media’: James Tedesco bounces back from State of Origin criticism with Roosters masterclass

James Tedesco has had the weight of the world on his shoulders for the past month and he made a simple decision in response.

James Tedesco returned to his best after putting the disappointment of State of Origin behind him in Gosford. Picture: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

Roosters skipper James Tedesco has opened up on the criticism he copped following last week’s State of Origin series opener, revealing he’s had to delete social media to ensure he only listens to the people who matter most to him.

Tedesco’s numbers for the Blues were solid in the game 1 defeat, but things simply didn’t click for him in attack, with the superstar fullback unable to create anything for his outside men.

That led to some pretty strong backlash from fans and the media, with some calling for the 20-game veteran to be dropped for the next match in Brisbane.

James Tedesco and his NSW teammates were lost for answers following their game 1 defeat in Adelaide. Picture: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

His response was emphatic, producing his best game of 2023 to inspire the Roosters to a much-needed 25-24 win over Canterbury that would have silenced some of the haters who came at him earlier in the week.

“That’s the media, that’s what happens. It’s all part of it, especially in an Origin game. I know now how to not buy into that,” he said.

“I pretty much deleted all social media and talked to my close people who I know are going to give me honest feedback and I can speak my mind to.

“That’s Robbo (Roosters coach Trent Robinson), my manager, my family and friends – these are guys who I value their opinion and I can talk honestly with, and they’re the only people I really listened to and talked to.

“There’s a lot of outside noise, but I’m experienced enough not to listen to that.

“Even if you play the game of your life – whether it’s good or bad – I don’t want to read anything because when you don’t play well, they come at you pretty hard.”

Things just didn’t click for Tedesco in the Origin opener, with the fullback held up when he looked certain to score. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

It’s been a brutal few weeks for the Roosters who had lost three in a row and had been dealing with constant speculation about Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s potentially immediate switch to rugby union as well as assistant coach Jason Ryles’ mooted move to the Dragons.

Both of those seem to be resolved, with Ryles no longer at the club, while the pressure has been eased following their win in Gosford on Sunday.

Tedesco scored two tries, recorded two assists for the first time this season and ran for 176 metres in a true captain’s knock when his team needed him the most.

Tedesco scored two tries against Canterbury and had a third ruled out. Picture: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

“I’ve probably carried a lot of expectation and weight on my shoulders, so I tried to get back to playing my natural, instinctive footy as a fullback. I felt like I did that today and it brought out my best footy,” he said.

“It’s been tough, but I wanted to let go of Wednesday night and go out and enjoy my footy. I’m glad we won because I wouldn’t have enjoyed it if we didn’t win.”

Teammate Luke Keary kicked the winning field goal on Sunday and was full of praise for his skipper, who he says handled the criticism with class.

Luke Keary celebrated his field goal with Tedesco to seal an important win for the Roosters. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

“I haven’t really seen too much of it. You kind of know a bit of stuff, but you don’t really read it,” he said.

“It’s going to happen because he’s the captain of that team and he puts himself out there.

“Everyone's the same. You cop the criticism when it comes, but as I said, you wouldn’t have known if it affected him because he’s a pretty grounded guy.

“He’s a champion player and a champion bloke. He’s been at the highest level for 10 years now, and you saw it again today.

“He copped the criticism but you wouldn’t have known it. He walked into training and got straight into what he does. He came in today and got straight into what he does. He’s a leader of the Roosters, his state and his country, so he’ll be back.”