James Tedesco

James Tedesco (born 8 January 1993 in Ryde, New South Wales) is an Australian rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Wests Tigers in the NRL. Primarily a Fullback, Tedesco has also played Centre and Wing.^[1] Tedesco is an City Origin and Italian national representative.

Background

Born in the northern Sydney suburb of Ryde and raised Menangle in Sydney's south west, Tedesco, who is of Italian descent, played his junior football with the Camden Rams. His father said of his early years, "James couldn't even make the junior rep squad for Wests when he was 14, and from then on he's always sort of scraped in. But once he's made those teams, he's gone on to finish as the best player."^[2]

Tedesco was a student of St Gregory's College, Campbelltown, and was a student in year 7 when Chris Lawrence was studying year 12.^[3] Tedesco commenced the 2011 season playing for the Western Suburbs Magpies in the S. G. Ball Cup, but was promoted to the Wests Tigers NYC team from round 13. In just his 3rd game he equalled the club record of scoring 4 tries in one match,^[4] and went on to be named the team's player of the year.^[5]

Wests Tigers 2012-

2012

Attracting the attention of other clubs, Tedesco was the focus of a "bidding war" between the Wests Tigers and St George,^[2] resulting in the Tigers signing him until the end of 2014.^[5] Weeks later he was named at fullback for the team's first trial-match for the year. However, coach Tim Sheens said he was unlikely to be playing at fullback at the start of the regular season, saying, "'I don't necessarily want to throw that on him at this point. I've got some experienced options."^[6]

Having played well in both pre-season trials, Tedesco was named in the starting team to play the Cronulla Sharks in the first game of the season. After showing potential in the early stages of the game, Tedesco suffered an injury to his knee in the 30th minute. The tear to the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee was the end of his season. Team-mate Benji Marshall said, "Just seeing his reaction in the sheds, he was crying in there and it brought a tear to a few of the boys' eyes as well, because we see him as such a great talent and he's fitted into the squad well and he's a really good kid."^[7] The Tigers later won the match 17-16 in golden point extra time at Leichhardt Oval.^[8]

2013

Tedesco returned to first grade in Round 4 of the 2013 season in the 26-0 loss to the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles at Central Coast Stadium, and played on the wing for four weeks.^[9] In April 2013, Tedesco was then chosen to play for City in the annual City vs Country Origin match. Having only appeared in 4 NRL matches at that time, he was the least experienced player to ever participate in the match. "When they called me up, I thought it was a joke. Even when Brad Fittler got on the phone I didn't think it was real. It was also a problem, because I didn't know whether I was eligible for City or Country." Tedesco said.^[10] Tedesco played at Fullback in the City Origin 18-12 loss at Coffs Harbour.

With Tim Moltzen moving to halfback, and then a suffering a season-ending injury, Tedesco played most of the rest of the season at fullback, scoring 8 tries in 19 matches for the 2013 NRL season. Tedesco spent months playing with a cracked fibula, after being advised that he was unlikely to make the injury any worse by playing. Tedesco said the leg was painful when knocked. "It does kill for about five minutes or so, then you run it off and it goes away." he said.^[11] At the end of the season, Tedesco was chosen to represent Italy at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup. With Anthony Minichiello captaining and playing at fullback, Tedesco played at right centre for the three games. In his international debut, he scored a try as Italy defeated Wales 32-14.^[12]

2014

In February 2014, Tedesco was selected in the Tigers inaugural Auckland Nines squad.^[13] On 27 May 2014, Tedesco signed a 3-year contract with the Canberra Raiders starting in 2015.^[14] A week later, Tedesco back flipped on his deal with the Raiders to stay with the Tigers.^[15] During the Round 16 clash with the Raiders, Tedesco lasted 15 seconds before he fractured his patella. Tedesco missed the rest of the season. He had the same injury as Tim Moltzen. Tedesco said, "“On Twitter Canberra fans would say ‘I hope you break your legs’ and stuff like that and then I play Canberra and it happens. It is a bit weird. It was just a freak accident." Before the end of the year, Tedesco had returned to sprint training and was adjusting his running style to be less "low to the ground".^[16] Tedesco finished off the 2014 season with him playing in 8 matches and scoring 6 tries.

2015

After an "eye-catching" display in round 2 of the 2015 season,^[17] Tedesco was touted as a possible State of Origin selection. While Tedesco said he felt ready to play in the representative matches, coach Jason Taylor said, "I think that's too early. It was a really good first half and he showed what he can do, but I think that's a bit too early for where he's at."^[18]

Between 19 August 2013 and round 6 of the 2015 season, Tedesco had scored 16 tries in 18 appearances.

Personal

Tedesco is currently studying to be a PE Teacher at the Strathfield campus of Australian Catholic University.^[19]

References

External links

• League Central