Andrew Johns has picked James Tedesco in his predicted NSW team for State of Origin 1, leaving out Panthers hero and incumbent Blues fullback Dylan Edwards. Panthers star Edwards has been NSW fullback for the last two series, helping the Blues win in 2024 but unable to prevent a Queensland triumph last season.
Prior to that, Tedesco had a mortgage on the NSW No.1 jersey and played 23 Origin games for the Blues. Tedesco was dropped as fullback and captain when Michael Maguire took over in 2024, and Daley again went with Edwards in 2025.
Andrew Johns (R) has called for NSW to pick James Tedesco over Dylan Edwards (second from right). Image: Getty
Edwards was also the back-up option to Reece Walsh for the Kangaroos in the Ashes, but it’s believed it would have been Tedesco in the squad if he didn’t withdraw for his brother’s wedding. Edwards and Tedesco have both been in good form so start 2026, however Edwards has made some uncharacteristic errors.
James Tedesco hasn’t played State of Origin since 2023.
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And Johns has made the stunning call for Tedesco to make a return to the Origin arena after a two-year absence. “He’s my fullback,” Johns said about Tedesco on the ‘Freddy and the Eighth’ podcast this week.
” I can’t believe I’m saying this, he is in close to career-best form. I would have had Turbo (Tom Trbojevic) there fully fit, but with Turbo out I’d have Teddy there for sure. The thing I think Teddy is different to Dylan is he has a better passing game, which brings the outside men into play.”
Andrew Johns wants Adam Doueihi in State of Origin
Johns also floated Tigers halfback Adam Doueihi as a smokey. Johns pointed out that Doueihi would be the perfect utility man to carry on the six-man bench as he covers almost every position.
“You’ve got Connor Watson, Victor Radley, Matt Burton (as options), (but) I’ve gone Adam Doueihi,” he said. “Especially with the extended six-man bench, you could put Api Koroisau, (Reece) Robson or (Blayke) Brailey (starting at hooker).
“In that 19 (jersey), Doueihi plays in the halves, can play centre, can play on the wing, fullback, lock, can play second row, and at a pinch could probably play dummy-half.”
Adam Doueihi (centre) was invited into State of Origin camp with NSW last year.
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Daley might have shown his hand when he invited Doueihi into Blues camp last year. Discussing the situation on Thursday night, Tigers coach Benji Marshall was fully supportive.
“Andrew Johns is a pretty good judge of talent so if he’s saying that, then yeah, put him in,” Marshall said. “It was his best game, impact wise, positioning, and where he played in the team. Setting up everyone else and putting himself in the picture, kicking game, controlling the game.”