Brad Fittler reveals James Tedesco is only a 50/50 chance for Origin opener

James Tedesco has been rated only a “50/50 chance” for game one of the State of Origin series, putting Clive Churchill medallist Ryan Papenhuyzen in line for a shock NSW debut.

James Tedesco with his knee strapped at the NSW training session, held at the Wyong Rugby League Club. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Sydney Roosters superstar James Tedesco has been rated only a “50/50 chance” for game one of the 2020 State of Origin series, puttng Clive Churchill medallist Ryan Papenhuyzen in line for a shock NSW debut.

Blues coach Brad Fittler will give Tedesco until Saturday to prove he has overcome a Grade 2 medial injury suffered in the NRL playoffs against Canberra.

Arriving at Blues training on Monday with his left knee heavily strapped, the 27-year-old completed a series of straight-line running drills away from the rest of the group.

However speaking afterwards, Tedesco stressed he was “feeling confident” and determined to play in all three games of the Origin series.

Yet with Papenhuyzen arriving in camp on Wednesday after starring in Melbourne’s grand final win, Fittler admitted his incumbent No.1 still has “some convincing” to do.

The Blues coach added his decision could be impacted by the depth of talent at his disposal, which includes not only Papenhuyzen but Dally M Fullback Clint Gutherson.

Asked to place a figure on Tedesco’s chances, Fittler replied: “I think it’s 50/50.

“So I’m trying to stay away from him.

“Otherwise I’d just be harassing him all the time, asking ‘how is the knee, how is the knee?’.

“But we’ve also got Gutho, and then Ryan Papenhuyzen gets into camp tomorrow night so we’ve got depth.

“A lot of good players. So he (Tedesco) will have to do some convincing.”

Fittler said the presence of Papenhuyzen and Gutherson meant he would not be risking Tedesco if he wasn’t 100 per cent ready for the opener on November 4 in Adelaide.

“We don’t need to have (the Tedesco injury) playing on our heads – that ‘will he be right?’,” he said. “But then, it’s Teddy. He obviously has the experience in Origin and that counts, no doubt.”

Tedesco, meanwhile, remains confident of proving his worth by Saturday’s key fitness test.

“I want to be there for all three,” he said. “That’s the goal and what has been in my head (throughout camp).

“If it’s no good, it’s no good. But I’m feeling confident.

“Today I just wanted to get it moving, wanted to tick that off and it felt pretty good.

“It felt really stable and strong.

“Thursday will be more volume, then Saturday it’s lateral movement and stepping.

“So that will be the big one. Saturday will be the big test.

“But I’m feeling good.”

While Tedesco has had his share of problems with the left knee — “ACL, knee cap, it’s not a great one” – he also takes confidence from the fact he finished the Raiders match.

He said the injury occurred during a carry midway through the second half when “I got taken back a bit, put my leg out landed awkwardly”.

“I got a pain but thought it was groin,” he recounted. “That went away but then as I started running again the knee felt weird.

“But running was still fine, so that gives me confidence.

“There was 20 minutes there running around to finish the game.”

The Daily Telegraph