‘No one owns the jersey’: Debate erupts over James Tedesco after game 1 loss

NSW skipper James Tedesco’s position in the Blues line up has sparked plenty of debate after the horror loss in State of Origin game 1.

SOO 2023 RD01 Queensland v New South Wales - James Tedesco. Digital image by Grant Trouville © NRL Photos

NSW Blues captain James Tedesco has landed in the firing line of fans and pundits after the side’s 26-18 loss to Queensland in the State of Origin opener on Wednesday night.

Tedesco ran a game-high 217m with only Blues winger Brian To’o (201m) within 70m of the Blues skipper in terms of run metres in the match.

Watch every game of every round of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

But after the Blues dominated possession but still found themselves on the wrong side of the scoreline, it’s inevitable people are going to look for someone to blame.

As the team’s leader, Tedesco took the blame on himself for the loss.

“I can’t be perfect but I am the captain so I’ve got to lead by example,” Tedesco said post-match.

“I didn’t ice or nail my moments so that’s on me, yeah. I don’t care about other people’s opinions but I know that myself. I don’t need to look at social media to see that.

“I know I can do better and know I have to nail those, especially in crucial parts of the game.

“I hold myself to high standards so it’s disappointing. I probably won’t look at social media.

“We weren’t at our best and we still probably should have won. We had the game right there. It’s not like we were miles off. We let the game slip.”

Tedesco’s 217m is well up on his 2023 average, where he currently averages 170.5m and ranks 19th in the NRL metres gained.

It’s over 50m a game behind leader Dylan Edwards, who averages 221.7m per match through his 11 starts this season with an online push to get him considered for a representative debut.

James Tedesco was the game-high metre leader in game 1. Picture: NRL Photos

But the questions about Tedesco’s place in the team were quickly shut down by NSW chief advisor Greg Alexander on Fox League’s NRL 360.

“They’re quick to get to this time of Teddy’s career aren’t they?” he said.

“So no thought of what happened in the past so they’ve just jumped to a game where people think Teddy wasn’t nine out of 10. And all of a sudden they want Teddy’s head.

“Well I think that’s ridiculous, I really do.”

Questions were asked of the Blues’ spine who were continually turned away by the desperate Maroons throughout the clash.

Also on NRL 360, Fox Sports’ James Hooper called the Blues’ attack “awful”, “diabolical” and “clunky”.

But as he questioned Alexander’s comments on Tedesco, only to be at odds with The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield.

“There’s an old rule of sports journalism — you never ever knock a champion,” Rothfield said.

“We were talking about James Tedesco when he took Australia to the World Cup and he was the best player in rugby league. Him and (Cameron) Munster and maybe Joey Manu.

“On what he’s achieved in rugby league in that NSW jersey, he gets a gold pass, in my view, on reputation for the remainder of this series.”

Hooper replied, questioning the dropping of 2017 Wally Lewis Medallist Dane Gagai, who had played 22 State of Origin matches between 2015 and 2022 before being left out of the series opener.

“Dane Gagai is not James Tedesco,” Rothfield replied.

Hooper: “He’s won man of the series, he’s won man of the matches, it is similar.

“Billy (Slater) was prepared to roll the dice, and take a risk. Freddy tried to roll the dice.”

Phil Rothfield and James Hooper went head to head. Photo: Fox Sports

Hooper highlighted four incidences where Tedesco fell short — when he was held up when he could have passed to an unmarked Josh Addo-Carr, his attempt in Selwyn Cobbo’s second try, slipping over for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow’s match winning try and being outjumped by his Roosters front rower teammate Lindsay Collins.

Rothfield replied: “You’re making fair points and I agree with you but he has money in the bank and a reputation second to none.

Hooper: “I disagree.”

Rothfield: “So you want to sack him, do you? You deadset want to sack him?”

Hooper: “It’s not up to me. I’ve heard legends of the game like Gorden Tallis say no one owns the jersey. Queensland were willing to take some risks. There’s options.”

Braith Anasta said he believes Tedesco has “earned the right” to retain his spot but asked who would be possible replacements.

Hooper said that Latrell Mitchell, who was out of game one with a calf injury, or Panthers premiership fullback Dylan Edwards could be options.

Hooper added: “He (Tedesco) is a champion but he’s had two good games all season in the NRL against the Dragons who are coming last. And the performance last night is by far his worst in a sky blue jumper.”