Veteran rugby league reporter Phil Rothfield has revealed NSW skipper James Tedesco might dangle up the boots if the Blues can safe victory in Game III in Sydney.
NSW have already misplaced the 2023 Origin sequence and the 30-year-old fullback hasn’t been at his damaging greatest this season, with loud calls rising from him to be dropped.
Tedesco held his place in Brad Fittler’s crew, however with strain mounting on him at each membership and consultant stage — Rothfield believes Game III could also be his final style of Origin footy.
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“I would think this is potentially James Tedesco’s last big representative match for the Blues,” Rothfield mentioned on NRL360 on Monday evening.
“In light of his form, in light of his age, in light of the fact he is about to become a Dad, in light of the pressure he is under at the Roosters to lead them out of the hole they are in.
“I just have a suspicion that if he can get a win at Accor Stadium he might say goodbye.
“And it would be a lovely way for a champion to finish… I think he’ll be looking at cutting back, he looked stressed to me when he was interviewed after Adelaide and after the Brisbane game.
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“I think he’s struggling with every bit of responsibility he has got, as a captain for NSW and in a horrible season for the Roosters. I’ve spoken to a few people about it.”
NRL360 host Braith Anasta questioned if this was purely Rothfield’s opinion or he kewn Tedesco was contemplating consultant retirement.
“A little bit of both, I’m not going to get here and say he is going to retire. I am trying to paint a picture,” Rothfield mentioned.
Tedesco’s Roosters have struggled for type this season and narrowly went all the way down to the Sea Eagles in Round 18.
That left Trent Robinson’s facet sitting in thirteenth place, tied on seven wins with the Titans, Sea Eagles and Dolphins.
The Daily Telegraph’s Brent Read disagreed with critics who prompt Tedesco ought to have been overlooked of the NSW facet for Game III.
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However, rugby league legend Gorden Tallis issued an ominous warning.
“He may retire, I don’t know. But I think it is dangerous to assume he won’t be the captain in 12 months’ time,” Read mentioned.
“Everybody has a use-by date, everybody does,” Tallis mentioned.
“He had to be there, he’s the captain and he’s the Australian captain,” Read mentioned.
“I would have liked to have seen Dylan Edwards get a chance somewhere in that team, maybe ahead of Gutherson to be honest.
“Teddy had to be there, I know he has struggled a bit this year. Played well on Sunday in a beaten team, but he’s their captain, you don’t drop your captain.
“The series is over anyway, you don’t drop your captain.”
Source: www.foxsports.com.au