There’s an old saying: you never knock a champion.
And we saw exactly why when James Tedesco starred in the Roosters’ season-opening win over the Broncos in Las Vegas.
Brad Fittler made some comments about Tedesco last year when the Roosters were really struggling. He said when the team is not going well, Tedesco tries too hard. He stands at first receiver and tries to play like a half, he’s taking hit-ups like a front-rower. He’s trying so hard to find a glimmer of space he runs across the field and can cramp his support men.
I agree with everything Freddy said.
But in Las Vegas, the first thing I noticed was how fit Tedesco looked. They cut to vision of him in the sheds and you could see the Roosters’ strength and conditioning changes over summer have had the desired effect.
And when he went out on the field, he didn’t overplay his hand. He linked up with his halves beautifully and then chose the right time to be a support player around the middle of the ruck.
Roosters captain James Tedesco.Credit: AP
He will be fighting it out with Tom Trbojevic for the NSW No.1 jersey come State of Origin time.
If you watched Trbojevic closely in the Sea Eagles’ upset win over the Rabbitohs last weekend, I think there was one big difference to last year: he was accelerating through contact. I didn’t see that last year.
You could sense he wasn’t entirely confident in his body in 2023 and that explosive power in trying to break tackles wasn’t there. I reckon that’s all about to change.
Like the Roosters, Manly has a new strength and conditioning coach in Jon Clarke. I played with Clarke at Warrington in the Super League and he’s a champion bloke. He’s had experience with English rugby union and the Wallabies, and I think he will be invaluable to Anthony Seibold.
If Trbojevic stays fit, the Sea Eagles are a top-eight team. If he can play the entire year, I can see them making a play for the top four.
As for the Roosters? They’re a genuine premiership threat.
At the start of the week, I was almost convinced the Storm were morals against Penrith. But I’ve completely flipped in the last couple of days.
Penrith have had to contend with their World Club Challenge trip to the United Kingdom and I don’t think they’re always fast starters when it comes to a new season. You only have to look at their shock round-one loss to the Broncos last year.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona is a big loss for the Storm.Credit: Getty
But there are a couple of doubts over the Storm that I can’t get my head around.
Firstly, the uncertainty over Cameron Munster is a huge concern. And then the omission of Nelson Asofa-Solomona leaves a big hole in Melbourne’s pack. I reckon they’re missing a bit of grunt up front and are one really strong front-rower short.
Melbourne always starts the year quickly and the record of Craig Bellamy’s teams in round one is unprecedented. But I think Jarome Luai being on track to play tilts the balance towards the Panthers.
Last year’s scenes at McDonald Jones Stadium when Dom Young was streaking away down the sideline to score against the Raiders in the first week of the finals was one I’d never seen at Newcastle. It was incredible.
Kalyn Ponga has won the 2023 fullback of the year.Credit: NRL Imagery
But there’s a big difference with the Knights this year: there’s expectation on them.
There’s no secret to the success of Newcastle. Most of it hinges on Kalyn Ponga. The mail I’m getting out of the Hunter is he came back as fit and focused as anyone has seen him for a long time when he returned to pre-season training. He’s been driving the standards, and when the captain is leading that, it’s a good sign for the club.
The thing I like about Newcastle is there’s competition for all the key spots. Jackson Hastings and Jack Cogger at halfback, Tyson Gamble and Will Pryce at five-eighth and Jayden Brailey and Phoenix Crossland at No.9. I also liked some of the young players we saw in the trial games. They’ve got a good crop coming through.
I suspect the two English imports will be pivotal for them this year. Will Pryce is not in the 17 for Thursday night’s clash against the Raiders, but without a doubt, he will be the best five-eighth at the club this year.
He has some serious swagger, a really confident kid and is a loud voice at training. The one thing about Will is he backs himself.
If he sees something in his own half, he’ll back himself. He won’t second guess. For a coach, this could give Adam O’Brien some grey hairs but when the game is on the line he wants the ball in his hands. That’s exciting.
Kai Pearce-Paul has had a hampered pre-season with injury, but he’s also an exciting prospect.
The Raiders are a bit of an unknown this season, particularly with the loss of Jack Wighton to South Sydney. One thing about Ricky Stuart teams is they’re fit, physical and generally start the year well. It’s a tough pack on paper led by Joseph Tapine.
The most interesting selection is Ethan Strange at five-eighth. I watched him during the under-19s State of Origin clash and he was sensational. He scored a hat-trick and looked every bit an NRL player in the making.
This should be an open and fast game with plenty of points, but I think Newcastle will have too many guns for the Raiders.
Joey’s tip: Knights by 12
First try-scorer: Bradman Best
Man of the match: Kalyn Ponga
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