![\"Nick](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1792409787_201_441fcc43b663461ee537a1fa43bde38dbfcd68a8.png\")
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October 19, 2026 \u2014 6:39pm<\/p>\n
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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n No gift articles left<\/p>\n You’ve used all of your gift articles. 3 more will become available on the 1st of every month.<\/p>\n Close<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n It has been three years since James Tedesco last donned the Kangaroos colours \u2013 an absence that has not deterred him from clinching the highest accolades rugby league has to offer.<\/p>\n So what has changed to inspire his Test comeback in time for a World Cup assault?<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think much has changed,\u201d Tedesco quipped, when reminded of all his accomplishments since he last graced the international arena.<\/p>\n \u201cOff the field a lot\u2019s changed for me; I\u2019m a family man now with two girls, so there have been plenty of changes away from footy.<\/p>\n \u201cBut in terms of my footy, how I approach every week, my routine and preparation, that\u2019s never really changed throughout my career.<\/p>\n \u201cComing into this team again, being around the best players in the game, you\u2019ve just got to soak up all the moments you can. I think I\u2019m the oldest here and the most experienced, so I\u2019m just trying to pass on my knowledge where I can, but also enjoying being around the best players.\u201d<\/p>\n Tedesco has not been seen in an Australian jumper since the 2023 Pacific Championships final capitulation against New Zealand, in which he and his teammates suffered a 30-0 humbling. His comeback will be complete when he runs out onto Suncorp Stadium on Sunday to face Fiji.<\/p>\n The 33-year-old has since undergone a renaissance. He has claimed both the Dally M and Clive Churchill medals \u2013 the latter this year, as he captained the Roosters to premiership glory and ran for an NRL record 383 metres \u2013 and regained his Blues\u2019 jersey in 2026\u2019s triumphant State of Origin campaign.<\/p>\n But his Kangaroos\u2019 teammate Cameron Murray would not buy into the notion that Tedesco had been reborn since his axing from the national team.<\/p>\n \u201cI wouldn\u2019t call it a turnaround or a return to form, I think he\u2019s always been in pretty good form, and he\u2019s always been up there among the best since he\u2019s been playing. He\u2019s one of those champion players you want to play alongside,\u201d Murray said.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s always been up there setting the standards for some of the greats in the game. The way he plays definitely is inspiring as a teammate, and makes you not want to let him down.\u201d<\/p>\n While Tedesco will get his opportunity to prove he is Australia\u2019s premier No.1 this weekend, securing the position is no guarantee.<\/p>\n Coach Kevin Walters suggested after the Kangaroos\u2019 24-22 win against the Kiwis that Sydney\u2019s grand final contingent had been rested, although Tedesco said on Monday from Brisbane\u2019s Anglican Church Grammar School he had been eager to line up.<\/p>\n In his absence, Reece Walsh staked a claim to the job. The Broncos\u2019 livewire put on a World Cup clinic<\/a> \u2013 scoring a breathtaking try and saving another on opposite number, Kalyn Ponga, in his first game since round 24 after recovering from a syndesmosis issue.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Tedesco, at least, was not viewing the next clash as the chance for him to fend off Walsh\u2019s challenge.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t really see it like that. I don\u2019t know if it\u2019s going to be my last, but I know I should put all my energy and focus into this weekend and playing good footy,\u201d Tedesco said.<\/p>\n \u201c[Walsh] wants the big moments. He hadn\u2019t played in seven weeks because of his injury, but he turned up in big moments and nailed them and executed.<\/p>\n \u201cLast week once the decision was made that he was going to play, I said \u2018whatever you need, I\u2019m here to help\u2019. Anything I can pass on, it\u2019s up to him to take it on board, but he was really excited to take it on board.\u201d<\/p>\n Tedesco\u2019s premiership-winning halfback Sam Walker is also poised to earn his Test debut, where he is expected to line up in the halves alongside Tom Dearden. Cameron Munster is set to be rested, while Mitchell Moses\u2019 World Cup is over after suffering a leg injury.<\/p>\n When the business end of the tournament approaches, Munster will be the hot favourite to retain the five-eighth duties, leaving Dearden and Walker to duke it out for the No.7 responsibilities.<\/p>\n Walker, who starred in his maiden Origin series for Queensland as Dearden recovered from an ankle injury, has Tedesco\u2019s backing to shine on the world stage.<\/p>\n Related Article \u201cHe\u2019s had a great year, debuting for Queensland, a premiership and now Australia at the young age he is,\u201d Tedesco said of Walker.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know how he plays. He plays high-instinct footy and takes opportunities when he sees them. He has also worked hard on the effort areas of the game that not many people see like his kicking and kick chase, he\u2019s been so good at.<\/p>\n \u201cLearning from Chez [Daly Cherry-Evans] has been great for his development. I know he\u2019ll be ready to go.\u201d<\/p>\n Start the day with a summary of the day\u2019s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"James](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/f2f42417e0e0f1916774af102aeb0bf063c1bfdd.jpeg\")
James Tedesco greets students at the Anglican Church Grammar School in Brisbane after Kangaroos training.AAPIMAGE<\/p>\n![\"James](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/b7b8f60edd118df4611791366b7fce3624cb230e.jpeg\")
James Tedesco in action for the Kangaroos.Getty<\/p>\n![\"James](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/5a857d0706f4b5b1f6fd935a677f0bcabc78f04a.jpeg\")
James Tedesco and Reece Walsh train on Monday.AAPIMAGE<\/p>\n![\"Jack](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1792409790_76_ce13c0d75cf69b04b3bd81fcf0993c991b45f3b2.jpeg\")
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