Former NSW Blues skipper James Tedesco has revealed he was far more relaxed about the prospect of missing out on selection a year after he was dropped from the team.
Tedesco made 22 straight appearances as Blues fullback from the final game of the 2016 series through to the end of 2023, but was dropped in favour of Dylan Edwards for the 2024 series.
An injury to Edwards earned Tedesco a last-minute recall for the series opener in Sydney – but Edwards recovered to play in games two and three, which the Blues won to clinch the shield.
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James Tedesco made his final Blues appearance in Origin I last year. NRL Images
Tedesco said watching the famous comeback last year was hard, but he has been able to enjoy the first two matches of the 2025 series.
“Last year was probably hard … it was a bit awkward for me to watch,” he said on Nine’s Freddy and the Eighth.
“I’d been there since 2016, not missed a game, so it was a bit weird for me to watch on TV … but this year I felt really relaxed. I wasn’t expecting to play Origin.
“I think a lot of external talk was about that, but I wasn’t expecting that. I knew they’d go with Dyl (Edwards) who’s playing some great footy and they won last year.”
Watch the 2025 State of Origin series exclusively live and free on Nine and 9Now.
But rather than sit on the couch and mourn days gone past, Tedesco said watching this year’s series has done completely the opposite.
“I’ve really sat back and just enjoyed watching footy this year – even club footy,” he said.
Tedesco remains Roosters skipper. Getty
“Years gone past, I wouldn’t like to watch too much footy. I just liked to focus on myself and focus on the Roosters.
“But I’ve enjoyed watching footy as a fan and and learning from that.”
Now 32, Tedesco and wife Maria got married in January 2023, and have since welcomed daughter Rosie. The couple are expecting a second daughter in August.
The Roosters skipper said becoming a dad had shifted his perspective on life and football.
“It’s the best ever. I feel like before, my career was just all very selfish. It’s about myself, whatever I wanted to do, I would do it,” he said.
“I got married and had kids, and now my life revolves around my family. I can’t wait to come home and see my little daughter. She runs up, gives me a hug and honestly it doesn’t get much better than that. I can’t wait to keep growing my family.”
He said Rosie is starting to understand what her dad does.
“She points, she sees footy on TV and says ‘Da da!’ So it’s very cool. I love it.”
