James Tedesco has told Kangaroos officials he won’t be available for the end-of-year Ashes tour, opening the door for Reece Walsh to potentially win his Test debut. Tedesco has played 13 Test matches for Australia and captained his country, but lost his spot as Kangaroos fullback to Dylan Edwards last year.
The Roosters captain had a sensational season and won the Rugby League Players’ Association player of the year award on Monday. He’s also expected to win his second Dally M medal on Wednesday night.
James Tedesco has pulled out due to a family wedding, opening the door for Reece Walsh to be picked for Australia. Image: Getty/AAP
There had been calls for Tedesco to win back his Kangaroos spot after such a wonderful year, and was reportedly picked in a preliminary squad that didn’t contain players set to feature in the grand final. But he’s since opted out of the Ashes because he’s the best man at his brother’s wedding while the tour is on. Australia will play three Tests against England in the revamped Ashes in October and November.
“I asked him to think about it, but he believes that he wouldn’t be doing the right thing by his family if he wasn’t in the wedding,” ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys said on Tuesday. “It’s a shame because he played so well this year and deserved his place in the team.
“I’ve let (coach) Kevin Walters know, and we’ll now go back to the drawing board. James was very professional about it, and he really agonised over it because he really wanted to be there.”
V’landys said Tedesco still wants to be considered for the World Cup in 2026. “He did make a really strong point that he certainly wants to be considered next year for the World Cup,” V’landys said. “He’s not retiring from international rugby, he’s unfortunately got this family commitment that he can’t get out of.”
James Tedesco and Dylan Edwards in action for the Kangaroos in 2023. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
Reece Walsh set for Kangaroos spot after Tedesco withdrawal
Tedesco’s withdrawal is a huge boost for Walsh, with many predicting new Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters will pick the Broncos fullback ahead of Edwards. Panthers fullback Edwards is the incumbent Australian No.1, but had a relatively lean year compared to his lofty standards.
Walsh has been in the form of his life over the last two months and helped the Broncos knock Edwards’ Panthers out of the finals last weekend. If Walsh can lead Brisbane to grand final glory over the Melbourne Storm on Sunday night, it’ll be almost impossible for Walters not to pick him for a Test debut.
Walters has the option of picking both Walsh and Edwards in his 22-player squad and taking both to England. “It’s probably the most contested position of all the spots in the 22,” Walters said on SEN radio last week.
“They’ve obviously all had great seasons (Walsh, Edwards and Tedesco), you can’t deny that in any way. Walsh’s last six or seven weeks for the Broncos have propelled them into a preliminary final with his work at the No.1. So, we are very blessed. At the moment, I can’t split them. It will be a tough decision in a few weeks’ time on who we actually go with.”
Speaking earlier this month, leading journos Michael Chammas and Danny Weidler predicted Walsh to usurp Edwards. “To me, he’s the Australian fullback, you’ve got to take him over there,” Chammas said of Walsh. “He’s got to be your No.1. You plan for the future and there’s no one like him. I thought Teddy should get it before that. But if they go on a run Brisbane, then Reece Walsh is your fullback for Australia.”
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James Tedesco was favourite amongst fans for Kangaroos role
A poll of over 8000 Yahoo readers had Tedesco as the preferred option to play fullback for the Kangaroos in the Ashes before his withdrawal. Tedesco had 48 per cent of the vote compared to 22 per cent for Walsh and 19 per cent for Edwards. Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen had eight per cent, while three per cent said it should be ‘someone else’ entirely.
Meanwhile, Stephen Crichton has been ruled out of Samoa’s Pacific Championships campaign. The Bulldogs captain suffered a serious ankle injury that saw him miss the final game of their finals series.