No point to prove: Tedesco

Sydney Roosters skipper James Tedesco said he didn’t feel he had a point to prove by being recalled to the Westpac NSW Blues today due to a quad injury suffered by Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards.

Tedesco is now in line to play his 23rd match in a row in Game One of the 2024 Ampol State of Origin series on Wednesday at Sydney’s Accor Stadium after NSW Blues coach Michael Maguire reached out to him to fill the void.

“It’s been a bit of a wild 24 hours after 'Madge' (Maguire) called me yesterday after our (Roosters) Captain’s Run and said I could be a chance,” Tedesco told the media.

“I had to wait until this morning … I was either going to be playing a (NRL) game today or coming into (NSW) camp.”

Maguire named Edwards at fullback a week ago and Tedesco said he supported that call and had reached out to the Panthers No.1 to offer his support.

“It’s just hard, it’s life sometimes – bad luck happens. He definitely deserved the spot here,” he said.

Tedesco said he wasn’t out to prove a point to anyone with his recall.

“I don’t think that’s my mentality,” he said.

“Mine is doing what’s best for the team and playing my best footy and helping create the win. That’s the most important thing for me.”

The incumbent NSW Blues captain, Tedesco also said he was more than happy to see Manly Warringah forward Jake Trbojevic as skipper.

“I’m really close to Jakey. I know the passion he plays with and has for NSW,” he said.

“I’m stoked for him to have that honour. I’ll get behind him and follow him to a win.”

A short-turnaround to Wednesday’s Game One did not faze Tedesco either.

“I’ve played with most of these guys and been in camps with pretty much all of them,” he said.

“So I know how they play and knowing them personally definitely helps coming into camp.

“I’ve prepared for a game all week with the Roosters … we didn’t have the bye so I’ve been training all week and we’ll have a couple of (Blues) sessions.”