Brad Fittler has explained the reasoning behind James Tedesco‘s form slump, claiming the Roosters fullback tried to “over compensate” for the side’s struggles.
The champion fullback was unable to lift the Tricolours towards an NRL title in 2023, with the team only scraping into the top-eight after a late-season surge.
The 31-year-old also struggled in the State of Origin arena, with many calling for the superstar to be dumped from the NSW lineup after a second-straight series loss.
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Speaking on Wide World Of Sports’ Freddy and The Eighth, the club legend and former Blues coach analysed the issues that Tedesco faced last year and what the fullback needs to do in order to return to his best.
“He was down on form,” Fittler said.
“What happens with someone like Teddy, he tries to over compensate with runs … he turns into a bit like a back-rower or lock forward.
“They need to play him off two passes, get him on the inside off [Luke] Keary and get him out of dummy-half and first receiver. I don’t know how well he does that and I don’t think he has to. He does so well off that second pass.
“He needs to get out of first receiver and stop wanting to run.”
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Tedesco averaged 185 run metres per game last season, but managed just 15 linebreaks and 11 try assists, which was well down on previous campaigns.
NRL great Andrew Johns also urged Tedesco to change his mindset and focus on his strengths for the Chooks this year.
“He was playing in a team that was struggling,” Johns said.
“He was playing first receiver, playing like a front-rower and a halfback and then trying to get in shape as a fullback … you can’t do it all.”
Tedesco and the Roosters will begin their NRL campaign this weekend in Las Vegas.