LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
James Tedesco has made a strong case for his return to the NSW State of Origin team following an impressive performance in the Roosters' 36-26 victory over the Dolphins during Magic Round.
The former Blues captain delivered a standout display, earning the Artie Legacy Medal as man of the match.
His contributions included two try assists, 10 tackle busts, two line breaks, four offloads, and a remarkable 212 run metres.
Despite a late-game fade by the Roosters, Tedesco's performance solidified his position in the conversation for a recall.
Tedesco had previously been dropped for Dylan Edwards before last year's Origin series, despite having played in Game 1 when Edwards was injured.
Edwards stepped up to help the Blues secure the last two wins of the series and later won his fourth consecutive premiership with Penrith in 2024.
However, this season has been challenging for Edwards, who has struggled with injuries and inconsistent form, paralleling his underperforming Penrith team.
In contrast, Tedesco has emerged as a top-performing fullback in 2025, prompting discussions about the possibility of Edwards being replaced.
After his standout game, Tedesco acknowledged Edwards' claim to the Blues No.
1 jersey during a post-match interview, stating, "I am very clear on how I play footy and prepare.
Everyone is expecting me to not be as good but I am sticking to my routine weekly - mentally freshening up for each game and physically getting my body right and then playing." He added, "It's not my decision (who plays fullback for NSW).
It is what the coach wants and how he wants to play."
As Tedesco continues to excel, the pressure mounts on NSW coach Laurie Daley to evaluate his options ahead of the State of Origin series.
Tedesco's commitment to his form and performance may make it difficult for Daley to overlook him for a return to the Blues lineup.