James Tedesco captained the Sydney Roosters to premiership glory and won a second Clive Churchill Medal on Sunday night, but remains no certainty to be wearing the Australian No.1 jersey when the World Cup kicks off next Thursday.
Tedesco was named in Kevin Walters’ cup squad on Monday after missing last year’s Ashes series to attend his brother’s wedding.
The 33-year-old starred in the 19-18 win over the Knights on Sunday, a performance that included a grand final record 388 run metres, but is now locked in a fullback shootout with incumbent Reece Walsh.
Walsh will not have played in 61 days by the time next week’s Allianz Stadium match against New Zealand starts because of an ankle injury.
Walters refused to confirm any starting positions on Monday, and as much as he enjoyed Tedesco’s premiership performance, he made it known he remained a huge fan of Walsh.
The coach went as far as to declare Walsh the fullback front-runner midway through this year when his club side Brisbane were going through an unhappy defence of their NRL title.
Walters was spared making a three-into-two call once Dylan Edwards required knee surgery, as well as a shoulder reconstruction.
“Teddy was very good on Sunday; he loves to carry the ball, and he brings that high work rate to the team,” Walters said.
“Teddy has good form on the board.
“But I’ll sit down with the senior players, which will probably include Teddy, and we’ll come up with the right team to take on New Zealand.
“He’s put himself in a good slot, hasn’t he?”
Pressed on the loyalty shown to Walsh, Walters said: “Have you not watched him play?
“It’s a respect and loyalty [thing] I have with players. I feel like it’s important; I feel like everyone is a chance of playing next Thursday – I’d be comfortable with any one of those 23 players playing a role.
“Speaking with Broncos medical staff and Reece himself, he’s ready to go. He’s quite the player.”
Australia’s World Cup squad
Bradman Best, Jack Bostock, Blayke Brailey, Patrick Carrigan, Lindsay Collins, Reuben Cotter, Tom Dearden, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, David Fifita, Harry Grant, Keaon Koloamatangi, Liam Martin, Latrell Mitchell, Mitchell Moses, Cameron Munster, Cameron Murray, Jacob Preston, Kotoni Staggs, James Tedesco, Tom Trbojevic, Sam Walker, Reece Walsh, Isaah Yeo (c). Shadow players: Tom Jenkins, Hamish Stewart, Ethan Strange.
Walters also has Manly’s Tom Trbojevic as a third fullback option, and even Latrell Mitchell, whom Walters met for a coffee at Heffron Park last week.
“His finish to the season for South Sydney was great; he’s a big-game player who can do special things,” Walters said.
“My conversations with him [over] the last 16 months have been nothing but positive. He’s looking forward to putting the green and gold back on and having a great tournament.”
Fellow Souths players Cameron Murray, David Fifita and Keaon Koloamatangi were also named by Walters.
Skipper Isaah Yeo said he had assured Walters he would be ready to play at the top level, despite having a ruptured pec. The cup campaign, Yeo says, means he will likely miss the opening rounds of next season for Penrith because of the delay to the surgery he needs.
Sam Walker was a late inclusion after successfully overcoming an ankle injury during the play-offs. He played in the Roosters’ preliminary final and grand final wins. Walker joins fellow playmakers Cameron Munster, Tom Dearden and Mitchell Moses in Australia’s squad.
“For Sam to get back and play the way he has, we had to find a position for him in the side,” Walters said.
Winger Selwyn Cobbo was ruled out because the Dolphins winger has been struggling with an ankle and lower back issue, while Rob Toia and Jojo Fifita have pledged their allegiances to Tonga.
The Kangaroos will base themselves in Double Bay – Roosters heartland – in the countdown to the blockbuster opener against the Kiwis, which is on track to be a sellout.
