Former NSW Blues chief advisor Greg Alexander has revealed that he believes incumbent state captain James Tedesco won’t be losing his spot in 2024.
Tedesco has been the centre of heavy criticism over the last two State of Origin series after a number of underwhelming performances from the NSW skipper.
The 31-year-old has captained his state 12 times since taking over from Boyd Cordner in 2020 and has won only five games in that period.
Many have called for Tedesco to wrap up his representative career to not only focus on his club form with the Sydney Roosters but to usher in a new era with either Tom Trbojevic, Dylan Edwards or Latrell Mitchell taking over the No.1 jersey.
With plenty of uncertainty surrounding Tedesco’s future with the Blues, Alexander admitted whilst there’s a chance he could be dropped, he doesn’t see it happening in 2024.
“I don’t think he does (miss out on selection),” Alexander said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“Although I think (his) form through the first part of the year will be critical and might have a determination on whether James misses out.
“But I don’t think James Tedesco, come Origin One, will be NSW’s fullback and captain.”
Newly appointed NSW Blues coach Michael Maguire also weighed in on the topic and admitted that he couldn’t guarantee Tedesco’s spot in the side for this year’s Origin series.
“I respect all those boys that have been in the past, but I’m telling everyone to look forward, we’ve got to move forward,” Maguire said last week at a press conference.
“I know that he’s had a very good pre-season, and no doubt like any champion player, he’s still a champion player. I’m looking forward to seeing Teddy play some really good footy.
“At the moment I’m not going to make any statements around the team, I said that when I first arrived.
“I want to let the players go and play and then from there we’ll work out which way we want to go.”
Tedesco has featured in 21 straight games for the Blues and needs to play in Game One of the 2024 series to take Danny Buderus’ record for the most consecutive games played for NSW.