The reason why Roosters superstar James Tedesco has achieved a consistent level of success because he never lets his success get to his head.
According to a Sydney Morning Herald report, Tedesco sent a two-word text to Blues coach Brad Fittler after Ryan Papenhuyzen starred in the Storm’s season opening win over the Rabbitohs back in March.
“I’m rattled,” Tedesco’s text read.
Within a matter of days, the Blues and Kangaroos fullback then came out and scored a hat-trick in the Tri-colours opener as the Roosters smashed the Sea Eagles, who they will meet in tonight’s semi-final, 46-4 to kick off their 2021 campaign.
READ MORE: Cricket legend retires from commentary box
READ MORE: Ben Simmons saga takes another twist after 76ers ‘backflip‘
READ MORE: Why Ricciardo’s resurgence is worth millions for McLaren
READ MORE: Schumacher feared death at 1999 British GP crash
An injury to Papenhuyzen opened the door for Tedesco to renew his rivalry with the man tipped to take out this year’s Dally M Medal.
He faces off with Manly’s Tom Trbojevic tonight as the game’s two best fullbacks look to get their teams one step closer to a grand final.
Trbojevic’s numbers are nearly unheard of this year- as it stand he has 29 linebreaks, 116 tackle busts, 30 try assists and 25 tries in just 16 games this season.
However Tedesco’s stats match up pretty well with 17 linebreaks, 143 tackle busts, 27 try assists and nine tries.
While Manly’s run to the finals after a poor start to the year deserves applause, the Roosters were also hit by unbelievable bad luck.
They had to endure the retirements of both captains Boyd Cordner and Jake Friend, while Luke Keary, Lindsay Collins, Brett Morris, Joseph Suaalii, Joey Manu and Billy Smith all suffered season ending injuries.
And Roosters coach Trent Robinson wasn’t shy highlighting Tedesco’s role in leading the club to the finals in the face of adversity.
“None of this is possible, none of it, without Teddy,” Robinson told The Herald.
“I can talk about coaches, the club, all of that. But his ability to assume the weight of the situation is why we’re still standing.
“He knows it’s on him, but he doesn’t carry it like other guys. They can hunch, and it [the captaincy] can get heavier and heavier as the season goes.
“But Teddy has this remarkable ability to shed mental weight and attack the next game. We wouldn’t have done any of this without him.”
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!