‘I was keen’: Teddy wish ignored by coach as Roosters stars rested
James Tedesco was eager to lace up the boots and face the Rabbitohs this Friday, but the Roosters fullback instead will have an extra week of rest before the finals.
Trent Robinson made the Roosters’ plans clear when he unveiled a squad missing a litany of high-profile stars, including Tedesco, Daly Cherry-Evans and Reece Robson.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson. Getty
After the devastating injury blow to Sam Walker in round 26, the club has taken a cautious approach for the grudge match with their arch rivals.
Billy Smith, Hugo Savala, Robert Toia, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Naufahu Whyte and Siua Wong were all also left out of the 22-man squad to face the Bunnies.
The fixture at Allianz Stadium would have been one of the most hyped all year, especially with both clubs in the top-eight and heading towards the finals.
Instead, it will see a Roosters line-up filled with reserve graders, rookies and a handful of debutants who don’t even have official NRL headshots in action.
Tedesco understood the reasons Robinson opted to rest players to freshen them up before the finals, but having played just once since the side’s 82-12 round 22 thrashing of the Cowboys, he hoped he’d be named to play.
“I was keen to play some footy. I have played one game over the past month, so I was keen to play,” he told Nine’s Today on Wednesday.
“Robbo got around to most of us (on Monday) and told us that we were going to be resting. At this time of year, to be able to freshen up physically and mentally is really important.
“To get some extra rest for the ankle and the body is pretty important. I’m looking forward to getting to watch the young boys play on Friday night.”
Aston Warwick and Hayden Barton have both been selected on the six-man bench for the Tricolours and could get their first taste of NRL action, but have a blank space next their names on the game’s official website in lieu of a photo.
Up against the Chooks will be a nearly full-strength Rabbitohs outfit including Latrell Mitchell, who starts his first game at centre since round nine.
What would usually be a blockbuster between the cross-town enemies will go head-to-head with the AFL finals game between Geelong and Carlton and the absence of more than half the Roosters’ team could hurt TV viewership.
James Tedesco in action against the Cowboys Getty Images
The NRL was contacted for comment on the situation and said the team selection process remained a matter for the individual clubs.
It also raises the seemingly annual dilemma surrounding mass restings at the end of the regular season for clubs heading into the post-season.
Tedesco is confident the youthful side that will play on Friday will get the win.
“We are not giving up. We have belief and confidence in them to go and get the win for us,” he said.
“Some of these boys have only played a handful of games - and it doesn’t get any bigger than playing Souths. It is all about getting excited for the opportunity.
“I just want to encourage the boys to play their footy. It is a great opportunity for them to express themselves.
“Souths have a bit to play for, so I’m sure there will be a lot of emotion involved.”
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has been known to rest large chunks of players at some stage in the latter rounds, including last year in the penultimate round where he sat out 16 of his top-line players against the Bulldogs.
Cleary has resisted that temptation this time around, but the Roosters opted not to and it’s hard to blame Robinson, given the fact he lost his marquee halfback last week and his side can’t really slide down or move up the ladder.
As it stands, the Roosters are in fourth spot. To move to third, they would need to beat Souths and rely on the Gold Coast Titans upsetting the Dolphins, who are sitting in third place. Even if they lose, the Roosters will stay in fourth.
Sydney Roosters round 27 team
1. Cody Ramsey 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Fetalaiga Pauga 4. Tommy Talau 5. Rex Bassingthwaighte 6. Reece Foley 7. Toby Rodwell 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Benaiah Ioelu 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Salesi Foketi 12. Egan Butcher 13. Connor Watson 14. Tom Rodwell 15. Taylor Losalu 16. Delasalle Vaa 17. Aston Warwick 18. Jake Elliott 19. Hayden Barton 20. Lui Lee 21. Max McCathie 22. Nat Butcher
