James Tedesco at centre of brutal call amid Kangaroos selection saga

Incumbent Australia captain and World Cup winner James Tedesco is being tipped to lose his spot in the Kangaroos squad, with veteran NRL identity Phil Gould suggesting the Aussies will go with "new blood" in their end-of-year Tests. Tedesco's rep future has been the subject of intense speculation in 2023, following indifferent form in the Blues' Origin series loss and for his underperforming Roosters, who look all but certain of missing out on finals footy.

Calls have been growing for Reece Walsh to replace Tedesco as fullback for Australia, with the Broncos young gun one of the Maroons' best in their Origin series triumph. His form for the Broncos across 2023 has also been impressive and a huge reason behind the success of the high-flying Broncos.

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Newcastle's Kalyn Ponga has also undergone a stunning late season resurgence since shifting back to the No.1 jersey after an experiment at five-eighth, with many describing the Knights captain as the form fullback in the comp at the moment. Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards is yet another player waiting for his first taste of rep footy, with the 27-year-old already having two premierships and a Clive Churchill Medal to his name.

Speaking on Wide World of Sports' Six Tackles with Gus podcast this week, Gould said he believed it was time for the Kangaroos to move on from Tedesco. He argued that the Kangaroos should be picking the majority of their squad - particularly players in key positions such as fullback - from teams that go deep into the NRL finals.

Phil Gould thinks NRL finals hold key to Kangaroos selections

With the Roosters struggling in 2023 and predicted to finish the season outside the top-eight, Tedesco looks set to be deprived of crucial game-time and match sharpness. With the Broncos and Panthers on course to go deep into the NRL finals - and perhaps meet in the grand final - Gould believes Walsh or Edwards are in a strong position to take Tedesco's No.1 jersey.

" I don't think Roosters are going to play finals football. I think the Test side will probably be made up of those who last longest, getting into the finals and grand finals," Gould said. "I think fellas like Dylan Edwards and Reece Walsh will come into play there. Maybe Kalyn Ponga if Newcastle go deep into the finals series.

"I think that the Australian team at the end of the year will be looking for players who went deep into the finals and were playing regularly, rather than having a six-week or eight-week break and then going into representative football... Probably the premiership-winners and grand final-winners will make up the bulk of the side.

"....I think that brings the new blood, your Dylan Edwards and your Reece Walsh, into play. There might be a changing of the guard there, I think."

Walsh outpointed Tedesco when the Broncos beat the Roosters in the NRL last month, however, Brisbane legend Darren Lockyer said he still has some way to go to displace the Kangaroos' World Cup-winning captain. Australia's coach Mal Meninga also suggested as much this week, despite admitting it was impossible to deny the form of Walsh, Ponga or Edwards.

“But Teddy’s the incumbent and captain. At this stage there’s nothing to suggest he won’t be there. You always want the players who have never let you down," Meninga told News Corp. “I think if Reece or Kalyn make the side it would more likely be in a utility position in the backline. Origin and NRL form is part of it but we won the World Cup and loyalty has got to be a factor.”

Meninga, Lockyer and Laurie Daley are set to pick the Kangaroos side in less than eight weeks. It will be curious to see whether the finals form of Tedesco's rivals sparks a shift in their reasoning.

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