‘I should be falling off a cliff’: James Tedesco defies his critics to set up Origin audition against Dylan Edwards

James Tedesco has shown that age is just a number as the former Blues skipper continues to put pressure on Dylan Edwards for the NSW fullback spot.

James Tedesco’s doubters expected him to “fall off a cliff” once he turned 30, but the Roosters skipper insists he’s at the peak of his powers as he prepares to take on incumbent Blues fullback Dylan Edwards on Saturday night in a potential Origin audition.

The former Blues captain will go down as one of the greatest players to ever represent his state, but it looked like his representative career was over last year when he was dropped from the NSW and Australia squads.

Edwards replaced him in both, although an injury to the Penrith fullback before game one delayed his debut, with Tedesco rushed in for the series opener which ended in a heavy defeat after Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was sent off early on.

James Tedesco was rushed in for last year’s Origin opener after Dylan Edwards got hurt. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The Panthers star returned and helped the Blues to a famous series comeback, but an injury and his side’s poor start to the season has set up a potential headache for Blues coach Laurie Daley who handed Tedesco his Origin debut in 2016.

Tedesco finished one point behind Dally M winner Jahrome Hughes in 2024 and has been fantastic to start the season, with the Roosters relying heavily on his attacking numbers which look set to shatter his own personal bests if he maintains this form.

“I’m really happy with how I’m playing,” he said, feeling fresher than ever before after a proper pre-season with the Roosters.

“I haven’t scored a try and stats wise it probably doesn’t look that way. But I think physically, I’ve been really happy with how I’ve been playing, putting myself in good spots defensively.

“Last year was my first full pre-season in a while, and it definitely sets me up for the start of the year. I feel fit, fast and strong.

“I know people sort of doubt that when you turn over 30, like I should be falling off a cliff or something. That’s not how I see it. I still feel like I’m at the peak of my powers.”

Tedesco has put up huge numbers for the Roosters this season. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

Tedesco may have lost his spot to Edwards, but the 32-year-old tackle-busting machine hasn’t given up hope of reclaiming the No.1 jersey.

“I will always be available. I never said that I wouldn’t be. I just haven’t really given that too much energy this year,” he declared.

“I feel like previously, when I was the incumbent, there was always a lot of talk before the first Origin over other players and their form.

“I’ve really just put my sole focus into the Roosters and leading as best I can with our young team. I feel like my leadership and my footy has been in a really good spot. So I feel like that’s been good for me.

“I haven’t put too much pressure on myself (about Origin selection) and just trying to win games for this club.”

Dylan Edwards has strong bonds with a number of Panthers players in the NSW squad. Picture: Rohan Kelly

That external pressure has come from squad predictions where people have picked Tom Trbojevic, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Latrell Mitchell and Edwards ahead of him, only for Tedesco to shine in the blue jersey.

The 23-game veteran now hears the same debate about Edwards who is a metre-eating freak perfectly suited to the Origin arena, with his combinations with Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo an obvious advantage if Daley keeps him.

“I was there from ‘16 to ’23 and every year there was always talk about someone else – ‘Tommy’, ‘Paps’, ‘Dyl’ – it just comes with it,” Tedesco said ahead of their showdown at Allianz Stadium.

“It does get tough because you just want to focus on playing footy, but obviously Origin is a massive talking point.

“This year it’s been different. I haven’t felt that external talk. I know Dyl has been injured and Penrith haven’t been winning, so it’s pretty hard to judge the start to the year.”

Originally published as ‘I should be falling off a cliff’: James Tedesco defies his critics to set up Origin audition against Dylan Edwards