James Tedesco had come to terms with the idea that his State of Origin career might be over.
After facing being dropped during the 2024 series and not being selected in 2025, the seasoned fullback observed Dylan Edwards rising as NSW's primary fullback option.
What was once Tedesco's beloved sky blue jersey seemed to have found a new keeper.
However, late on Sunday evening, as he awaited the conclusion of Penrith's match and Laurie Daley's final roster choices, he received a surprising call.
"I wasn't sure if I was ever gonna get back to this, and be in this jersey again, so to be here is pretty cool."
Shortly after being reinstated for Game 1 of the 2026 State of Origin series, Tedesco shared his reflections on the path that led him back to the NSW squad after a two-year absence from the Origin stage.
"I probably accepted last year, the last couple of years that Dyl was going to be the fullback. I never counted it out as an opportunity, or the chance to get back here, I knew if I just kept playing my best footy, then you never know," he expressed.
"The past two years, I have been pretty happy with how I have been playing, to be honest. I haven't been playing representative footy, but personally, at the Roosters, I have been happy, and I guess just holding that consistency gave me a chance to get back into the team this year."
"I am proud of myself to get back into this team, to this arena. I think any player who plays the game you want to play this game. It is the highest honour and is the toughest game you can play."