James Tedesco stars as Roosters win 36-26 over Dolphins

Sensationally axed as NSW skipper last year, James Tedesco has ramped up his bid for an Origin recall, guiding the Roosters to a stunning Magic Round win over the Dolphins.

James Tedesco ramped up his quest for a Blues Origin recall as the Roosters continued their resurgence with a 36-26 Magic Round drubbing of the Dolphins.

It was no illusion as Tedesco turned magician before 48,359 at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night, tearing the Dolphins apart in a stunning display.

Having momentarily breathed life into their season with three straight wins, the Dolphins are now teetering with a 3-6 record.

But after losing four of their opening five games, the Roosters have won three of their past four to put the NRL on notice.

No player has been more influential in the Sydney resurrection than their inspirational skipper Tedesco as the NSW legend chases a return to the State of Origin arena.

Roosters vs Dolphins. Picture: NRL Imagery

“I don’t know what to say about Ted,” Roosters coach Trent Robinson said.

“It was another typical game from Ted. It’s an absolute pleasure to coach, watch him during the week, how he prepares and his mentality.

“It is so rare to watch someone do what he does every week for so many years.

“I’ve coached some great players and Ted stands up there with them all. I don’t have enough words to say how good he is as a player and the way he prepares.

“Dylan Edwards is an amazing player. They’re all great players. It’s about who the coach wants to choose.

“You can’t go wrong with Ted or Dylan. It’s the choice of the coach. There’s no right or wrong decision.”

TEDDY TIME

A 24-game Blues veteran, Tedesco was axed after last year’s series-opener to make way for Penrith’s four-time premiership fullback Dylan Edwards.

Tedesco was on the wane and Edwards was banging down the door. The Blues could no longer ignore him.

But a year later the tables have turned. Edwards has been below his best in a battling Penrith team anchored to the bottom of the NRL ladder.

Meanwhile, Tedesco has rediscovered the form that made him the NRL’s No. 1 player and tore the Dolphins apart with 18 runs for 253m, two line breaks and two try-assists.

Blues coach Laurie Daley has a big decision to make in a fortnight when he picks his Origin I team.

Tedesco ramped up his quest for a Blues Origin recall. Picture: NRL Imagery

“I’m just clear on how I play footy and prepare,” Tedesco said.

“Everyone is expecting me to not be as good but I’m sticking to my routine and going out and playing.

“I know my process and how I play footy. I go out and trust that.

“It’s (Origin selection) not my decision, it’s whatever the coach wants and how he wants to play.

“I’ve been on the other side of it where everyone is talking about form and it puts pressure on you. I haven’t felt pressure.

“That’s freed me up to play some of my best footy. That’s all I can really say about it.

“Everyone plays the game to play for their state or Australia. It’s a huge honour. That feeling has never changed for me.”

DREARY DOLPHINS

The Dolphins were off the pace from the get-go.

Lacking line speed and urgency in defence, they gifted the Roosters the opening try when Roosters centre sensation Robert Toia bounced through some lazy tackle attempts.

It was the same when Victor Radley crossed in the 17th minute and Jack Bostock’s dropped bomb gifted the Roosters more field position. Isaiya Katoa failed to find touch with a penalty kick.

The Dolphins struck back on the stroke of halftime through a leaping Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, who finished with a double, but some shocking defence early in the second half saw Mark Nawaqanitawase bag his second off a scrum set play and the floodgates opened.

The Dolphins mounted a late comeback but were off the pace. Picture: NRL Imagery

“We were beaten physically at the start,” Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf said.

“I’m not quite sure why. We had a good energy in the warm-up and sheds. I’ll have to get to the bottom of why we came out a little flat.

“We’ve got some good players out but I don’t think that was the reason. We didn’t play as well as we can.

“We didn’t defend at our standards.”

CHICKEN FEED

The Dolphins were mauled in the midfield.

Missing their best four middles in Tom Flegler, Daniel Saifiti, Max Plath and Felise Kaufusi, Redcliffe’s makeshift engine room failed to fire a shot.

Prop Mark Nicholls started the game and didn’t have a run until the 31st minute. Captain Tom Gilbert had four runs for 23m in the first half while Frank Molo only managed 43m.

It didn’t help that the Dolphins made too many errors which put them under pressure, but they were completely outplayed by the Roosters’ big boppers.

Naufahu Whyte continued his stunning form with 112m in the opening half while Spencer Leniu was hard to handle.

After getting their season back on track with three straight wins, the Dolphins have lost their past two games and are now sitting precariously with a 3-6 record.

Sandon Smith will miss next week with concussion after being ruled out early in this clash. Picture: NRL Imagery

MISSED MAGIC

After losing Anzac Day hero Sandon Smith (concussion) in the opening minutes, the Roosters were robbed of a piece of magic by millimetres.

Dummy-half Zach Dockar-Clay looked to have finished off a remarkable sequence that went through 11 sets of Roosters hands, but he missed grounding the ball in what would have been a contender for try of the weekend.

Maroons prospect Toia dominated Herbie Farnworth with a double while Radley had a night to remember with a brace of tries.