James Tedesco was hammered with questions about an Origin recall for the best part of two years, and now that he\u2019s won back his fullback jersey, the Blues legend is fielding queries about whether this will be his last game.<\/p>\n
Only two men have played more games for NSW than Tedesco, with the 33-year-old winning back his spot after Panthers star Dylan Edwards claimed it in 2024. <\/p>\n
Tedesco has one year left on his Roosters deal and is considering signing an extension, but what\u2019s unclear is whether he wants to continue his representative career beyond 2026 that includes a World Cup at the end of the year. <\/p>\n
\u201cI haven\u2019t really given it too much thought,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just want to get through this year and reassess what the future looks like, whether it\u2019s rep footy or longer in the NRL. My goal is to get to 300 games (he\u2019s played 290 so far) which is close now. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s pretty hard to make a decision when it\u2019s far away, but once the year finishes, we\u2019ll see what happens with rep footy at the end of the year and then make a more detailed decision.\u201d<\/p>\n
A modelling career after rugby league may be ruined after he broke his nose against the Sharks a few weeks ago, evoking memories of former teammate Blake Ferguson whose beak was horribly bent out of shape late in his career. <\/p>\n
Tedesco broke his nose 11 years ago as a result of friendly fire with Mitch Moses at the Wests Tigers and has ruled out surgery even though one of the Roosters trainers had to get through countless towels to mop up the blood after his latest mishap. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt was already a bit the other way, then it got smashed back. If it went the other way, it would have been like \u2018Fergo\u2019, but it straightened it out a little bit,\u201d he laughed.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve broken it before. Mitch actually was the first one to break it back in 2015 at training. He smashed me across the face.<\/p>\n
\u201cSomeone sent me the photo of Braith Anasta when he had the tape job a couple of years ago. It would have been a funny photo if they did it to me, but it was OK. I think my wife came in a bit worried, but it\u2019s fine.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019ll just be a bit crooked and have a bit of a bump on it now. When I finish, I\u2019ll maybe get it all fixed up like a few boys have in the past, but it\u2019s all good.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tedesco wasn\u2019t a part of the NSW side that knocked off the Maroons at Suncorp Stadium in the 2024 decider, but he\u2019s excited to prove doubters wrong when the Blues head up there next week as despised outsiders. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s going to be huge. You don\u2019t get a much bigger occasion than a decider at Suncorp with everyone against us. It\u2019s going to be a cool experience,\u201d the game one hero said. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s all about us, though. We haven\u2019t been at our best, and we\u2019ve got to acknowledge that and really come together this camp to make sure we\u2019re at our best for game three. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just about being connected, being on the same page and going forward because we know we\u2019ve got the talent here. <\/p>\n
\u201cLook across our team, there are so many great players. It\u2019s really just about getting on the same page and working together. If we find that strong connection throughout camp, that will put us in the best position for game three.\u201d<\/p>\n