Former True Blues captain Boyd Cordner can rattle off a list of why he thinks Westpac NSW Blues skipper James Tedesco is such a hard man to put on the ground.
But there’s one particular attribute Cordner thinks puts Tedesco above all others.
“He’s powerful, he’s fast, he’s elusive,” Cordner told nswrl.com.au
“But the thing that separates him from the other fullbacks is his spatial awareness.
“It’s just crazy how he almost ‘feels’ where space is going to come and gravitates towards it.
“Players sometimes struggle with that as things can all happen a bit quick in a game.
“But Teddy sees things a lot slower than most. It allows him to have a great feel for the game.
“That’s why you see him break so many tackles and make so many metres.”
From his 14 NRL games this year Tedesco has made 2,550 metres, 771 kick return metres, and averages 182 per game.
Add in his nine line breaks and 74 tackle busts and the picture Cordner is presenting comes sharply into focus.
Tedesco took over from Cordner as NSW skipper during the 2020 Ampol State of Origin series. The Old Bar Pirates junior retired the following year due to a series of head injuries.
But that hasn’t stopped Cordner admiring the leadership qualities emanating from the Sydney Roosters, NSW, and Australian captain.
“His growth in the last couple of years… I wouldn’t call him introverted but he wasn’t used to speaking too much,” Cordner said.
“But now he’s someone who commands a room and team meetings now.
“He’s that voice which a captain needs to be – he stands up by his actions.
“To have someone with that standing and stature means everyone listens and takes notice.
“The respect he’s always had as a player. But now the boys look to him to lead them.”
