Family first: Tedesco pulls out of Ashes after recall
Scott Bailey |
James Tedesco says he wants to be considered for next year’s World Cup, despite pulling out of the Ashes to be best man at his brother’s wedding.
One year after being dropped from the Test team, the former Kangaroos captain was set to earn a recall following a preliminary meeting of Australia’s selectors on Sunday.
But the star Sydney Roosters fullback called ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys on Monday to inform him he could not head to England at season’s end for the three-Test tour.
“I asked him to think about it but he believes he wouldn’t be doing the best thing by his family if he wasn’t there,” V’landys said.
“He was certainly in the team. The selectors will naturally be disappointed. But the beauty about our game is someone will come in straight away.
“It’s a shame because he has played so well this year and deserved his place.
“James was very professional about it, he really agonised over it because he wanted to be there.”
Tedesco’s withdrawal could open the door for Reece Walsh to earn his maiden Test call up when selectors officially announce their 23-man squad on Monday.
Dylan Edwards would also be a chance to retain his spot, after succeeding Tedesco in the No.1 jersey last year.
Tedesco’s recall had come after what was close to a career-best season, leaving him as the firm front-runner to win the Dally M Medal on Wednesday night.
The 32-year-old was on Monday voted the game’s best by his peers, joining Johnathan Thurston as a four-time winner of the Players’ Champion award.
Tedesco led the NRL for tackle busts, runs and metres this season, while turning playmaker for the Roosters and setting up tries in the past two years at double the rate of ever before.
With his representative career at risk of being over just a year ago, Tedesco now appears in the running to be back in Australia’s team for next year’s home World Cup.
“He did make a really strong point that he certainly wants to be considered next year for the World Cup,” V’landys said.
“He said he thinks he will play well enough, and if he plays well enough (he will).
“He is not retiring from international rugby league. It’s just unfortunately he has this family commitment he can’t get out of.
“He’s had an unbelievable season and deserved his place in the team. It’s quite sad that after such a great comeback this year, he wasn’t able to do it.”
Meanwhile Test selectors Andrew Johns, Darren Lockyer, Boyd Cordner and Cameron Smith also considered Mark Nawaqanitawase as a legitimate option for the Ashes.
V’landys would not say if Nawaqanitawase is in the squad, but has made clear the NRL’s leading try-scorer for 2025 will not be excluded despite his decision to return to rugby union after next year.
“He was considered, and isn’t ruled out,” V’landys said.
Selectors had initially planned to take a 22-man squad for the Ashes, but will opt to take a younger player along in preparations for next year’s World Cup.
Canberra five-eighth Ethan Strange is expected to be one option to fill that role.
AAP
