‘He’s a legend’: Superstar’s long road to major milestone
Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson has signed some amazing players during his tenure with Sonny Bill Williams, Cooper Cronk and Luke Keary playing a key role in his three premierships at the helm.
But as great as they’ve been, the decision to lure James Tedesco across from the Wests Tigers remains his best move with the superstar fullback set to go down as one of the greatest to ever pull on the red, white and blue jersey.
Tedesco will bring up his 250th game in the NRL on Saturday night, with the representative skipper winning two titles, a Dally M Medal and the Jack Gibson Medal as the best player at the Roosters five times in a row in his first five years with the Tricolours.
“He’s had a huge impact on the club,” Robinson said.
“He’s our captain, he’s our leader and he’s played an incredible style of play over that period, and the consistency with which he’s played with (has been elite).
“It hasn’t always been an easy road for him with injuries early and the constant scrutiny that he’s been under, but he’s held a line throughout his career.
“To get to 250 at his speed is a credit to him.
“I feel like he’s really led the way for us. He came back early in the pre-season – earlier than he had to pre-Christmas – and he got to work. That showed in his form from game one.”
Tedesco was touted as one of the brightest young players in the game, with Tigers fans excited to see what he could do when he made his debut in 2012.
But his first game in the NRL was a disaster with the fullback tearing his ACL in hot conditions at Leichhardt Oval against the Sharks which set the tone for his Tigers career which was plagued by serious injuries including a fractured kneecap and a broken jaw.
Tedesco is too humble to talk himself up ahead of the semi-final showdown with the Sea Eagles, but he recognises just how important his move to the Roosters has been as he reflects on a career that has seen him dominate State of Origin and the World Cup, with the fullback scoring the winning try in the 2019 Grand Final and Origin decider.
“There have been lots of good times and lots of ups and downs, but there are more important things this weekend about us winning a football game,” he said.
“It’s cool to look back on my journey, but all my focus this weekend is on getting us through to the prelim.
“In my first three years, I probably played about 10 games so I didn’t have a great start.
“For my journey to go through those hurdles at the start of my career, and then since I came to the Roosters I haven’t missed too many games and the body has been great.
“It’s been a pretty good ride to 250 and it’s an important game to celebrate it in. I’m proud of the journey and there’s still plenty to go.”
Tedesco lost his Blues jersey and his attacking involvements have been questioned this year, but the stats suggest he’s playing as well as ever with the 31-year-old having career-highs in tackle busts and line-break assists, while he’s set up 27 tries this year after creating 28 in 2022 and 2023 combined.
“Ted’s a legend,” halfback Sandon Smith said.
“He had those couple of injuries very early, so to still rack up a quality 250 games is incredible. I don’t think he’s had a bad game in those 250 so it’s awesome to run out alongside Teddy.
“He’s the ultimate person and player. He’s a legend.”
There have been calls over the past two years for Joseph Manu to replace Tedesco at the back, but the Kiwis star can only laugh when that gets brought up.
“I’ve loved playing next to Ted,” he said.
“You see what he does every week to get his body right, he’s always in the gym and out on the field doing the little stuff with extras.
“He deserves everything. He’s had a big few years and has been awesome for us this year.”
