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Tigers v Dragons: James Tedesco puts in five star performance as Tigers dominate Dragons
OH LAURIE, you really do have some selection headaches when it comes to the NSW No. 1 jumper.
Two days after Penrith’s Matt Moylan put his hand up for the Blues’ fullback gig, then Brett Stewart did likewise at Brookvale Oval, James Tedesco produced his own impressive Origin audition for the Wests Tigers.
Tedesco scored a try and had a hand in three others as the Tigers ran riot early against St George Illawarra to win 22-4.
It was a shame hundreds of fans were still queuing up outside the Campbelltown car park as Tedesco and his young teammates put on an impressive all-round display.
The action peaked by half-time, with the Dragons finishing yet another match with just four points.
Dragons coach Paul McGregor must be seriously concerned about his side’s predictable attack, and how on earth they can post more points.
On one embarrassing occasion, Jason Nightingale played the ball to himself.
At least fullback Josh Dugan, who was forced to miss Monday night because of an ankle injury — but remains in the box seat to replace Jarryd Hayne as NSW fullback — is tipped to return for the trip to Canberra.
Tigers coach Jason Taylor, however, has a side with no such problems scoring points, especially with Tedesco and halfback Luke Brooks starting to form a handy combination.
Aaron Woods has started the year brilliantly upfront, while they’ve snapped a steal in winger Kevin Naiqama.
If bearded Tedesco can continue his form at the back, NSW coach Laurie Daley will have a huge dilemma before the Origin opener.
Daley rates Tedesco just behind Dugan and Moylan in the pecking order, but that can all change.
Tedesco threw a dummy before he found Naiqama who posted the home side’s opening points.
Five minutes later, Tedesco showed a decent turn of foot to latch on to a Brooks grubber and make it 8-0.
The Dragons enjoyed some good field position, and forced a couple of dropouts courtesy of one of the Tigers’ former favourite sons Benji Marshall.
But the Tigers forced an error through a brilliant hit by Marty Taupau, then continued to march down field on the back of a penalty before a Tedesco cut-out pass put Pat Richards over in the left corner.
Tedesco continued to feature in everything, somehow reaching out to prevent a Gareth Widdop kick for touch from going out, and putting his side on the attack.
Approaching the half-hour, the Dragons had made 100 more tackles than the hosts, and really struggled to contain Tedesco and Brooks.
When Tedesco held up a pass for Tim Simona who eventually put Richards in for a second, the Tigers were as good as home.
Tedesco and the Tigers will face their acid test on Sunday when they take on South Sydney.
While they were entitled to beat a depleted Gold Coast in the opening round — and a Dugan-less Dragons — the Tigers will only make rivals sit up and take notice if they can push the premiers all the way.
For Tedesco, he will do his Origin hopes no harm should he match it against the red-hot Rabbits.
WESTS TIGERS 22 (P Richards 2 K Naiqama J Tedesco tries P Richards 3 goals) bt ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 4 (D Nielsen try) at Campbelltown Sports Stadium. Referee: Ashley Klein, Adam Gee. Crowd: 11,837.
OH LAURIE, you really do have some selection headaches when it comes to the NSW No. 1 jumper.
Two days after Penrith’s Matt Moylan put his hand up for the Blues’ fullback gig, then Brett Stewart did likewise at Brookvale Oval, James Tedesco produced his own impressive Origin audition for the Wests Tigers.
Tedesco scored a try and had a hand in three others as the Tigers ran riot early against St George Illawarra to win 22-4.
It was a shame hundreds of fans were still queuing up outside the Campbelltown car park as Tedesco and his young teammates put on an impressive all-round display.
The action peaked by half-time, with the Dragons finishing yet another match with just four points.
Dragons coach Paul McGregor must be seriously concerned about his side’s predictable attack, and how on earth they can post more points.
On one embarrassing occasion, Jason Nightingale played the ball to himself.
At least fullback Josh Dugan, who was forced to miss Monday night because of an ankle injury — but remains in the box seat to replace Jarryd Hayne as NSW fullback — is tipped to return for the trip to Canberra.
Tigers coach Jason Taylor, however, has a side with no such problems scoring points, especially with Tedesco and halfback Luke Brooks starting to form a handy combination.
Aaron Woods has started the year brilliantly upfront, while they’ve snapped a steal in winger Kevin Naiqama.
If bearded Tedesco can continue his form at the back, NSW coach Laurie Daley will have a huge dilemma before the Origin opener.
Daley rates Tedesco just behind Dugan and Moylan in the pecking order, but that can all change.
Tedesco threw a dummy before he found Naiqama who posted the home side’s opening points.
Five minutes later, Tedesco showed a decent turn of foot to latch on to a Brooks grubber and make it 8-0.
The Dragons enjoyed some good field position, and forced a couple of dropouts courtesy of one of the Tigers’ former favourite sons Benji Marshall.
But the Tigers forced an error through a brilliant hit by Marty Taupau, then continued to march down field on the back of a penalty before a Tedesco cut-out pass put Pat Richards over in the left corner.
Tedesco continued to feature in everything, somehow reaching out to prevent a Gareth Widdop kick for touch from going out, and putting his side on the attack.
Approaching the half-hour, the Dragons had made 100 more tackles than the hosts, and really struggled to contain Tedesco and Brooks.
When Tedesco held up a pass for Tim Simona who eventually put Richards in for a second, the Tigers were as good as home.
Tedesco and the Tigers will face their acid test on Sunday when they take on South Sydney.
While they were entitled to beat a depleted Gold Coast in the opening round — and a Dugan-less Dragons — the Tigers will only make rivals sit up and take notice if they can push the premiers all the way.
For Tedesco, he will do his Origin hopes no harm should he match it against the red-hot Rabbits.
WESTS TIGERS 22 (P Richards 2 K Naiqama J Tedesco tries P Richards 3 goals) bt ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 4 (D Nielsen try) at Campbelltown Sports Stadium. Referee: Ashley Klein, Adam Gee. Crowd: 11,837.
