Forget the back injury to Latrell Mitchell. Forget the lack of game time for Hudson Young, Kotoni Staggs and Spencer Leniu, the sight of Sydney Roosters skipper Angus Crichton with his knee strapped, or the form of Canterbury captain Stephen Crichton.
The one thing that is sure to be keeping NSW Origin coach Laurie Daley up every night – and probably has done all season – is whether to go back to the future with James Tedesco as his fullback.
Penrith workhorse Dylan Edwards is the Blues’ No. 1 incumbent playing in a team that is a class above everyone else right now, and includes fellow NSW stars Isaah Yeo, Nathan Cleary and Brian To’o.
But then there is ‘Teddy’ who has been outstanding all season, and was in the thick of everything yet again on an otherwise a low-key Friday evening on the Central Coast.
The Roosters defeated the Gold Coast Titans 28-12. It was hardly a vintage performance, but it was the Tricolours’ sixth straight win, and they head to Magic Round with the perfect blend of confidence and star power.
You could make an argument the Roosters’ roster has more depth and strike than the Panthers.
Tedesco is 33, but it is difficult to think of a time he has been playing better football. Greg Alexander made the point more than once while he was in the commentary box for Fox Sports.
He is busy in attack, rock solid in defence, and even a genuine aerial threat. Age should not count against Tedesco when it comes to representative duty. Just ask Queensland coach Billy Slater, who was 35 when he won the Wally Lewis Medal in a losing Maroons side.
Tedesco has not played Origin since game one in 2024. The Blues then opted for Edwards, won the series that year, and stuck solid with him again last year.
Daley will name his first team on Monday week. Tedesco gets one final audition against the Cowboys.
Tedesco came up with a try just before half-time that would have frustrated Gold Coast coach Josh Hannay.
The Titans led 6-0 early as neither time came up with many genuine attacking opportunities.
The Roosters hit back on the half-hour when centre Rob Toia scored after Tedesco stepped and shuffled the final pass to his man.
Toia appeared to spill the ball as it came away from his hand and rolled up his right forearm. The slower the replays, the worse it looked.
But bunker official Adam Gee awarded the try.
There was just as much debate about the second try when Tedesco dived over in the left corner. Sam Walker put up a kick for Daniel Tupou, Tupou knocked it back for his fullback, and he did the rest. Gold Coast fullback Keano Kini argued Tupou blocked him from getting a shot on Tedesco.
Bunker official Adam Gee, however, said: “Daniel Tupou ends up in this position from the contest, and Keano chooses to grab him.”
Tedesco then bagged a second try late in the game.
Victor Radley, who avoided suspension last week after being placed on report three times, was again in the naughty corner for a high shot on AJ Brimson, but can consider himself hard done by if he misses any game time.
The only disappointments for the Roosters were Sam Walker’s inaccurate goal-kicking and the crowd, which was poor. Any future game at Polytec Stadium should be reserved for an afternoon timeslot, which accommodates the young families in the area and makes the most of the picturesque surroundings.
