Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga hasn’t ruled James Tedesco out of featuring for Australia at the end of the year, despite his omission from the Blues’ Game I Origin side.
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Meninga said form and loyalty will be heavily considered when he selects his side at the back end of the year, leaving the door open for incumbent fullback and skipper Tedesco to retain his jersey.
The former Queensland Maroons coach shared his belief Dylan Edwards has “earned the right [to play State of Origin]”, adding “you can’t argue with that fact”.
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“But it doesn’t mean too much at all to be honest with you. We will be picking on form and loyalty and not so much on the future,” Meninga said.
“That’s how I think representative teams should be picked. It’s not about the future – it’s about the here and now.”
Prior to missing selection for Game One of the 2024 series, Tedesco had featured in 22 straight matches for the Blues, dating back to his debut in the final game of the 2016 series.
Despite a few lean years at Origin level, Tedesco’s returned to his best for the Roosters over the opening months of 2024, scoring seven tries, tallying 11 try assists and running for 149 metres per game.
However, his performances proved not enough, with Blues coach Michael Maguire ushering in a new era by selecting three-time Premiership winner and 2022 Clive Churchill medallist Edwards at fullback for the series opener.
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Despite missing Blues selection, Meninga cautioned people from writing Tedesco off just yet, stating those who do should “do it at your own peril.”
The pair aren’t the only fullbacks in the running for the Kangaroos No.1 jersey, with Meninga naming Brisbane and Maroons star Reece Walsh, reigning Dally M Medallist Kalyn Ponga and Storm flyer Ryan Papenhuyzen as additional contenders for the jersey.
Meninga’s comments follow news Tedesco’s time in the State of Origin wilderness may be over before it began, after Edwards pulled up with quad tightness at the Blues’ final Blue Mountains training session.
The Penrith star completed the session but reported the tightness after doing extras after training, with Tedesco on standby in case scans on Edwards’ injury rules him out of Origin, with results of his scan to be known by 9am on Sunday.