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NRL 2022: Quality Trent Robinson admires most about James Tedesco ahead of milestone game

Martin GaborNCA NewsWire
James Tedesco is as elusive as ever after 199 games. Picture; NRL Photos
Camera IconJames Tedesco is as elusive as ever after 199 games. Picture; NRL Photos Credit: Supplied

He scored the winning try to help the Roosters capture back-to-back premierships in 2019, but according to his coach, that wasn’t the finest moment in James Tedesco’s glittering career.

As the game’s premier fullback prepares to run out for NRL game 200, Roosters coach Trent Robinson said there wasn’t a single play that stood out in Tedesco’s incredible highlight reel.

James Tedesco broke Canberra’s hearts in 2019. Picture; AAP Image/Joel Carrett
Camera IconJames Tedesco broke Canberra’s hearts in 2019. Picture; AAP Image/Joel Carrett Credit: News Regional Media

Rather, it’s what we see on the field coupled with what he does at training, promo work and everything else that makes Tedesco the ultimate footballer.

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“It’s not actually about an action because that’s the culmination of all the work that I get to see,” Robinson said.

“I’ve talked about the way that he can train really hard, execute finite skills really well and take in all the information that coaches give him and deal with the external media or promotions and then come back into this really calm state and play.

“That’s an absolute gift.

“That’s my favourite moment with Teddy, seeing how a week is in James Tedesco’s life and then see how freely he can go out there and play on the weekends. That’s his gift.”

Footy fans knew there was something special about Tedesco during his years with the Wests Tigers, and that potential has been realised and then surpassed since he joined the Roosters in 2018.

His arrival coincided with consecutive premierships as the tri-colours reaped the rewards of also signing veteran halfback Cooper Cronk from the Storm. It was fitting that Tedesco was on hand to score the try that ended the hoodoo of teams failing to defend their title.

In his five years at the club, Tedesco has evolved into a genuine matchwinner who now captains the foundation team and has also led the Blues to State of Origin glory.

“We knew what a talent he was, and we thought that we needed to add that on the back of losing Roger Tuivasa-Sheck the year before,” Robinson said.

“We needed to nail that position and we thought we’d get a really talented fullback, but that’s the slight difference in his capacity to go from a talented fullback to a game-changer to a leader to a captain.

“That’s been his ability to push himself, and it’s been remarkable to watch in 110 games for us.”

Tedesco has shown no signs of slowing down and remains one of the toughest players in the league to handle, highlighted by his 117 tackles busts that are second only to teammate Joseph Manu.

It’s why so many friends, family members and footy players were so keen to send video messages ahead of his 200th game against the Cowboys, and it’s why his coach is confident he still has plenty of good years to come.

“He’s pushed the limits in all of those 200 games and he’s got a lot of petrol left in the tank as well,” Robinson said.

“It’s a real honour to coach him.”

 

Originally published as NRL 2022: Quality Trent Robinson admires most about James Tedesco ahead of milestone game

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