Tedesco Expects Origin Axe Despite Role in Roosters’ Win Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson believes Luke Keary and Sam Walker are likely to be preferred ahead of James Tedesco for the upcoming State of Origin series despite the Roosters’ fullback playing a key role in their 28-4 NRL victory over Parramatta on Saturday. Tedesco was in impressive form, scoring a try and setting up another for the Tricolours, but Robinson admitted that Keary and Walker, who were both rested for the clash with the Eels, would probably be selected ahead of him for the Blues. “I think Luke Keary will be there [in the Blues team] and Sam Walker will be there,” Robinson said after the game. “Teddy played well tonight, but I don’t think he’ll be there [in the Blues team]. I don’t know what Brad [Fittler, Blues coach] is thinking, but I would imagine those two would be picked ahead of Teddy.” Tedesco, who captained the Blues in the 2019 and 2020 series, has been in fine form this season, scoring seven tries in nine games, but his versatility may ultimately count against him for Origin selection. With Keary and Walker likely to be selected as the Blues’ halves, Tedesco would have to play either on the wing or at fullback, and Robinson believes that other players may be preferred to him in those positions. “To be honest, I think his versatility might go against him a little bit,” Robinson said. “He’s a great player, but I think there are some other guys who are probably a bit more settled in those positions [on the wing or at fullback] at the moment.” Tedesco will be hoping to prove Robinson wrong when the Blues squad for the Origin series is announced on Sunday.James Tedesco, the Sydney Roosters fullback, acknowledges that he will likely lose his New South Wales State of Origin jersey despite his stellar performance in the Roosters’ 28-18 victory over the Parramatta Eels.James Tedesco, the Sydney Roosters fullback, acknowledges that he will likely lose his New South Wales State of Origin jersey despite his stellar performance in the Roosters’ 28-18 victory over the Parramatta Eels. Less than 24 hours before Michael Maguire announces his Blues team for Origin II, Tedesco shone for the Roosters in a wet CommBank Stadium on Saturday night. The Roosters fullback was instrumental as his team surged to a 16-0 halftime lead, only for the Eels to rally and gain an 18-16 advantage after the break. Ultimately, the Roosters did enough to secure the win, with Daniel Tupou scoring in the left corner with 15 minutes remaining before Angus Crichton sealed the victory. Mitch Moses strengthened his case for a return to Origin in NSW’s halves, scoring a try to spark the Eels’ comeback late in the first half. The No. 7 had numerous involvements, but for the second consecutive week, he was unable to guide Parramatta across the line in a tight finish. He is now in a battle with Nicho Hynes, Cody Walker, and Jarome Luai for two halves spots. However, the player who made the most significant statement on Saturday was Tedesco. The Roosters captain anticipates losing his NSW jersey to Dylan Edwards, assuming the Penrith fullback emerges unscathed from his Sunday clash against Newcastle. But after Tedesco was called into Blues camp late for Origin I and had a mixed night in place of an injured Edwards, he excelled in his first game back in the NRL. The fullback delivered the final pass to Fetalaiga Pauga for the Roosters’ first try and also set up Tupou as the Tricolors raced to a 16-0 lead. He was also involved in Tupou’s second try, which put the Roosters back in front, by passing the ball out the back to Crichton, who sent the winger over. Tedesco finished the game with a try-saver on Blaize Talagi, adding to his four tackle busts and 178 meters with the ball in hand. Nonetheless, Tedesco anticipates that Edwards will reclaim the Origin position. “I’m not sure, there’s not really much I can do,” Tedesco said. “If Dyl is fit and plays, I think he goes back in, that’s the way I see it. Who knows. Anything can happen, so we’ll see.” The result guarantees that the Roosters will finish the round in fifth place and further diminishes Parramatta’s slim finals hopes with their 10th defeat of 2023. Despite appearing out of contention for much of the first half after an early Kelma Tuilagi sin-bin for a dangerous throw set the tone, the Eels ignited just before the break. They scored tries either side of halftime, with Roosters enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves in the sin-bin for a high tackle. Moses was the first to cross after Junior Paulo pinned Reagan Campbell-Gillard, before Dylan Brown stepped past three Roosters for the Eels’ next. A Talagi try then made it 16-16, with Bryce Cartwright offloading at will and rolling through the Roosters defense to take control of the game. Parramatta then took the lead when Lindsay Collins was penalized for dissent, but they were unable to hold on as the Roosters’ class on the edges became evident. Despite the loss, interim coach and former Blues half Trent Barrett maintained that Moses should be NSW’s No. 7. “He was good, he did some really good things again,” Barrett said. “Mitch is three games back from his foot (injury). I think from a State of Origin point of view, I think he’s our best option.”SYDNEY, Australia (AP) – Trent Robinson has confirmed Luke Keary will not play in the State of Origin series opener despite his man-of-the-match performance in the Sydney Roosters’ grinding 14-12 NRL win over Newcastle on Friday. Robinson said the five-eighth will be rested for the clash with Queensland in Townsville on Wednesday night, with Sam Walker to start at five-eighth outside halfback Lachlan Lam. “He won’t play Origin,” Robinson said of Keary. “He’s had a big load the last few weeks. “Freddy (NSW coach Brad Fittler) has spoken to me. He understands. We’ve got a big part of the year ahead of us.” The decision comes as a blow to the Blues, who are already without injured playmaker Nathan Cleary. Keary was outstanding for the Roosters against the Knights, scoring a try, setting up another and kicking a sideline conversion. His kicking game was also superb, with his grubber kick leading to Daniel Tupou’s match-winning try in the 77th minute. But Robinson said he had no hesitation in resting Keary for Origin. “It’s not like he’s not fit enough, he’s fit enough to play,” Robinson said. “But it’s just the load he’s had. We’ve got some big games coming up.” The Roosters’ win was their third in a row and moved them into the top eight. It was also a welcome return to form for Victor Radley, who was outstanding in his first game back from a three-match suspension. Radley made 42 tackles and ran for 131 metres. “He was really good,” Robinson said. “He went looking for work. He took some tough carries.” The Knights were brave in defeat and were unlucky not to come away with the two points. They led 12-10 with 10 minutes remaining but Tupou’s try broke their hearts. Newcastle coach Adam O’Brien was proud of his team’s effort. “I thought our resilience was outstanding,” O’Brien said. “We put ourselves in a position to win the game. “I thought we had great resolve. We had to dig deep. We were under the pump for long periods. “We’ve got to be better with the ball. We coughed up too much.” The Knights will host the Canberra Raiders next Sunday, while the Roosters will travel to Auckland to face the Warriors.