‘They weren’t happy’: Roosters filthy over Tedesco call-up

Roosters powerbrokers were reportedly “not happy” as details about James Tedesco’s State of Origin drama emerge.

James Tedesco of the Roosters. 2024. PICTURE: NRL PHOTOS

Roosters powerbrokers were reportedly “not happy” regarding the circumstances of James Tedesco’s NSW recall amid growing calls for the NRL to introduce a mid-season Origin period.

On Sunday the Blues confirmed first-choice fullback Dylan Edwards had been ruled out due to a quad injury, sending an SOS to the Tricolours on the day of their Round 13 game.

His omission highlights a bigger issue surrounding State of Origin, with over 100 first grade players unavailable to take the field over the weekend.

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36 players are selected and are made unavailable to play for their respective states, while over 75 NRL players are also sidelined due to a wide range of injuries.

Both states have been hit with injuries, with the Blues missing Nathan Cleary and Tom Trbojevic among others, while the Maroons being without Tom Flegler and Tom Gilbert.

Meanwhile, in Round 13 the Bulldogs lost Josh Addo-Carr for eight to ten weeks due to a hamstring injury and Dolphins veteran Jesse Bromwich may have suffered a torn pectoral.

Now veteran rugby league reporter Phil Rothfield has once again sparked the conversation for NRL powerbrokers to stop the first grade comp for three weeks to play Origin.

He also revealed Roosters bosses believe Tedesco’s call-up could be the difference between them winning and losing against the Cowboys.

“The circumstances of James Tedesco’s recall, Roosters management are not that happy about how it played out,” Rothfield said on the Big Sports Breakfast.

“Clubs have to give up a lot around State of Origin. (The Cowboys and Roosters) game yesterday was missing 10 players and then Tedesco had to pull out.

“They weren’t happy because it happened on game day, they were okay they gave up all the other players a week ago when the teams were announced.

James Tedesco of the Roosters. 2024. PICTURE: NRL PHOTOS

“They think it might be the difference between winning and losing in a tight football game, Tedesco with his leadership might have held the side together.

“You can’t blame James for wanting to play, it would have been interesting if he knocked them back and was dirty.”

Rugby league legend Laurie Daley then asked if a representative period is something that’s being considered by NRL powerbrokers.

“There’s 100 NRL players missing from last weekend... we have had this unprecedented run of calf and hamstring injuries to really high profile players,” Rothfield said.

“The Pongas, the Turbos, you know, Adam Reynolds, Nathan Cleary. I spoke to Peter V’landys over the weekend and he said it’s something they are going to have to look at.

“It’s the wear and tear on the players, Origin goes from Round 13 to Round 20. It’s a big chunk of the NRL season.

“By the time they come back there’s only six weeks left, and I just think it’s a discussion and a debate the game needs to have.

“We do get to see some young talent coming through, but I looked at television ratings, both were down.

“It’s a really difficult one, do you keep it spread over seven weeks, bring it into three weeks and put some rep footy around it... play it mid-year.”

Rothfield also explained that three weeks without club footy will only make fans hungrier to watch and attend matches for the remainder of the season.

“Even though we lose club footy for three weeks, you know how hungry we are for that first round of the trials at the start of the year,” he said.

“That three year break is going to make us even hungrier.”

Meanwhile, Daley held the belief Michael Maguire could be set for a tough decision should Tedesco fire in the series opener.

“You’ve nearly got to reward Teddy if he plays well and NSW win, it’d be hard to see Edwards getting a game for Game II,” Daley said.

“If you needed a guy on short notice to come into a football team it’s James Tedesco with the amount of experience he has been able to gain over the years.

“He’s been a massive part of that NSW team. So I’ve got not problem with Teddy coming in and they aren’t too dissimilar with what they do in a game.

“They (NSW) won’t have to rearrange the deck chairs to fit him in.”

Originally published as ‘They weren’t happy’: Roosters filthy over Tedesco call-up