Tigers back Tedesco to nail down Blues spot

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Tigers back Tedesco to nail down Blues spot
Thu 07 Jul, 2016, 11:30am
By Chris Kennedy ‌, National Correspondent , NRL.com
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Now that Wests Tigers fullback James Tedesco has been given his long-awaited chance to play Origin, his clubmates have backed him to nail down the spot long term.

Just last week, several Wests Tigers players told NRL.com Tedesco simply must be picked for Origin III now that he is back fit and still in form.

Days later they got their wish and now the 23-year-old's teammates have backed him to make the spot his own.

"I'm stoked for him, he deserves it, he's been through all the injuries and everything and he's worked his arse off to get back and I'm just happy for him and hopefully the boys get a win for him," five-eighth Mitch Moses said.

Tedesco, having twice fought back from serious season-ending injuries early in his career, has worked incredibly hard to get where he is now, according to Moses.

"Since his debut (in Round 1, 2012) when he did his ACL that first one, then worked so hard to get back, came back and was playing good footy and did his knee again (fracturing a patella against Canberra in Round 16, 2014)," Moses said.

"It's a credit to him the way he comes back and the way he held his head and just the footy he's come back to playing. He is or close to the best fullback in the game at the moment.

"He'll have a lot of pressure on him, Queensland will definitely be testing him out but I'm sure he can handle it. He's got there so I'm sure he'll grab it with both hands."

Tigers winger David Nofoaluma – a fellow Wests junior – said he was expecting to head out to ANZ Stadium next Wednesday night to support his mate.

"We're all rapt for him. I couldn't be more happy for him," Nofoaluma said.

"With all the injuries that happened in his past it's made him stronger as a person and a player so that's happened for him for a reason. Good on him. I'm sure he'll kill it. I'm confident because I know he's a confident player so I'm sure he'll keep that No.1 jersey."
 
@stryker said:
I wish everyone would shutup. The pressure to perform this guy has on his shoulders is becoming unfair.

Cant read anything but praise and compliments from everyone to Tedesco, not sure if im missing something here. Of course there is pressure, but Teddy thrives on pressure, wouldnt phase him one little bit. Go Teddy, do us proud.
 
@stryker said:
I wish everyone would shutup. The pressure to perform this guy has on his shoulders is becoming unfair.

I tend to agree Stryker , without a recognized halves combo in front of him and the pressure from Qld he could be left like a shag on a rock

Hope he is NSW's best in a badly beaten side :wink:
 
@stryker said:
I wish everyone would shutup. The pressure to perform this guy has on his shoulders is becoming unfair.

There certainly seems to be an expectation on him to produce a standout game on his debut.
Can't wait to see him out there.
 
After all the hype it wouldnt surprise me if he has a rare shocker.

Its added some interest to the dead rubber though from my end. I hope he shines.
 
A year ago it was mostly only us fans talking him up. Now everyone is. He has an enormous bandwagon of support.
I hope to hell he plays great footy…but this is his debut and a lot is expected....The games best players will target him ruthlessly. They will bomb the bejesus out of him and slam him soon as he hits the ground. When he runs the ball he will be crowded and most probably taken out after he offloads.

This guy deserves his spot and should be afforded the opportunity to prepare as any other rookie is. Best wishes to him.
 
@stryker said:
I wish everyone would shutup. The pressure to perform this guy has on his shoulders is becoming unfair.

We have players interviewed pretty much every day at training, and they're going to be asked about Tedesco given he's become a pretty high profile player and is somewhat belatedly making his rep debut. What would you have Moses et al say when asked?
They're not going out of their way to bring up their mate, they're answering media questions.
 
@stryker said:
A year ago it was mostly only us fans talking him up. Now everyone is. He has an enormous bandwagon of support.
I hope to hell he plays great footy…but this is his debut and a lot is expected....The games best players will target him ruthlessly. They will bomb the bejesus out of him and slam him soon as he hits the ground. When he runs the ball he will be crowded and most probably taken out after he offloads.

This guy deserves his spot and should be afforded the opportunity to prepare as any other rookie is. Best wishes to him.

Yeah all that, but it is the same for him every week being the main target in WT team from the opposition and journos.
 
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