Greg Alexander has branded criticism of James Tedesco “ridiculous” as NSW continues to sort through the wreckage of Origin I.
NRL 360: The NRL 360 hosts discuss James Tedesco’s performance during Origin Game 1 and if position could possibly be in jeopardy.
Tedesco was typically tireless at the back for the Blues in defeat, running for over 200m, but had a few costly moments to forget.
Most notably, the NSW fullback slipped over in the lead-up to Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow’s try and was later outleapt by Roosters teammate and Queensland rival Lindsay Collins.
State of Origin: Corey Parker and Michael Ennis have clashed over the Blues halves pairing of Jarome Luai & Nathan Cleary following NSW’s Game I loss to the Maroons.
It wasn’t just in defence though that Tedesco was found out, also failing to capitalise on a two-on-one in the first half as a possible try to Josh Addo-Carr went begging.
Alexander though was quick to shut down any talk of Tedesco’s spot in the team being in jeopardy while appearing on Fox League’s ‘NRL 360’ on Thursday night.
“They’re quick to get to this time of Teddy’s career, aren’t they?” Alexander said.
“So what, no thought of what has happened in the past? They’ve just jumped to a game where people think that Teddy wasn’t 9 out of 10 and all of a sudden they want Teddy’s head. I think it’s ridiculous.”
Tedesco’s teammate Nathan Cleary also leapt to his defence on Thursday morning, declaring the fullback an “absolute beast”.
“I’m not sure why [people think he should be dropped],” Cleary said.
“He’s been the best player for New South Wales for a number of years now. I think people are pretty quick to judge and jump to conclusions but he’s been an absolute beast for a long time now.”
The 360 panel though was somewhat divided on the topic of Tedesco’s standing in the team, with Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield arguing with James Hooper that the skipper “gets a gold pass”.
State of Origin: Blues captain James Tedesco didn’t cover himself in glory in the closing moments of Game I, as Queensland clinched victory.
“It is ridiculous,” Rothfield said.
“There’s an old rule in sports journalism that you never, ever knock a champion. We were talking about James Tedesco when he took Australia to the World Cup as the best player in rugby league, him and Munster and maybe Joey Manu.
“On what he’s achieved in rugby league and that New South Wales jersey, he gets a gold pass in my view on reputation for the remainder of the series.”
Hooper though pointed towards Queensland coach Billy Slater dumping veteran centre Dane Gagai ahead of the series opener, questioning how that would be any different to dropping Tedesco.
“What about the fact Billy Slater dropped Dane Gagai?” Hooper asked.
“Dane Gagai is not James Tedesco,” replied Rothfield.
“He’s won man of the series, he’s won man of the matches,” argued Hooper.
“It is similar. Billy was prepared to roll the dice and take a risk, Freddy tried to roll the dice. Billy ended up with a royal flush and Freddy’s ended up with a pair of twos.
Origin: A disappointed NSW halfback Nathan Cleary believes he could have done more in attacking QLD, but remains positive for Game two.
“Teddy’s played 20 State of Origin matches, he’s won multiple man of the match awards, he’s won three Brad Fittler medals. But if you go through there’s three or four incidents out of last night.
“First up he was held up in the opening half, could have passed to Addo-Carr. Second up, poor attempt for Selwyn Cobbo’s second try. Third he slips over when Hamiso is about to score the try that sends Queensland to the front and then the play of the day was when he got out-jumped by Lindsay Collins.”
Rothfield agreed with all of those points from Hooper and conceded it was not Tedesco’s best performance but believed the captain has “money in the bank” and a reputation that is “second-to-none”.
“I disagree,” Hopper replied.
A stunned Rothfield then challenged Hooper: “So you want to sack him, do you? You deadset want to sack him?.”
Origin: Reece Walsh was seen to have pulled the hair of Jarome Luai after QLD took exception to a tackle from the NSW playmaker.
Rothfield said Tedesco deserves another chance.
“We’ve got to show a player of his calibre respect. He’s the Australian captain,” Rothfield said.
And again, Hooper also agreed that Tedesco’s past performances earn him some leeway but also added that it is not as if the Blues are limited in alternatives.
“I’ve heard legends of the game like Gorden Tallis say no one owns the jersey,” Hooper said.
“Queensland took some risks and there are options. You could go Latrell Mitchell, you could go Dylan Edwards who is the form fullback of the competition.
“He [Tedesco] is a champion. With respect he’s had two good games all season in the NRL against the Dragons, who are coming last. His performance last night was by far his worst.”