NRL star James Tedesco lashes out at reporters who won’t stop asking him the same nagging question: ‘I’m sick and tired of it’
- The skipper of the roosters has had enough of the repeated question
- The team faces a sudden-death final against Manly on Saturday
James Tedesco has hit out at critics of the Sydney Roosters’ title hopes, saying he is “fed up” with being asked about the impact of injuries at the club.
The Roosters are looking to become just the fifth team this century to win the championship title after losing in the first week of the finals, when they were beaten by Penrith on Friday.
The Tri-colours welcome back Jared Waerea-Hargreaves from suspension in Saturday’s semi-final against Manly, but are still missing a number of key players.
Key players are halfback Sam Walker and hooker Brandon Smith, while Victor Radley is still struggling with a broken shoulder blade.
The injuries to the trio against Canberra two weeks ago led several critics to write off the Roosters, who had been favourites all year.
The Roosters also had to ask themselves whether their title window was almost over, and what their record against Melbourne and Penrith since 2020 (1-19) was.
Asked if the team’s ability to field players like Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Luke Keary and Joey Manu as winners had been damaged by injuries, Tedesco replied: ‘No.’
When asked what he had to say to those claiming the Roosters’ title chances had fallen, Tedesco responded defiantly.
Roosters captain James Tedesco (pictured) has had enough of being questioned about the club’s shocking injury toll
The fullback scored a try in the Chooks’ loss to Penrith in last Friday night’s final, but he insists the defeat is ‘not the end of the road’ for the club in 2024
“You are not within our four walls,” Tedesco told reporters.
‘Honestly, I’m tired of hearing about it from you guys. All you talk about is that.
“Every time I do something about media, you talk about it.”
The Roosters captain admitted his team’s defence and goal-line handling had been poor during the 30-10 defeat to Penrith, but he was adamant the issues were not fatal.
“It wasn’t easy last weekend, but a top four position gives us a second chance,” said Tedesco.
“It’s a bit of a setback for us this weekend, but it’s certainly not the end of the road.”
Tedesco’s comments came as Keary came to the aid of his partner Sandon Smith after his first final match following Walker’s injury.
Matt Johns is among those calling for a move from Joey Manu to Keary, as he believes it could give the rugby star more influence in the sport.
“I get it. There’s always going to be talk, and we’ve got guys here that can play different spots,” Keary said.
‘But inside the building, the trust in him, we’ve seen what he can do.
‘He really fits the structure. We’ve really attacked well this year.
‘Teddy’ is crucial to the Roosters’ chances of sending departing stars Joey Manu, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Luke Keary packing with a Premier League win – but the Tricolours’ horrendous injury woes have left them with a mountain to climb
‘He gives us the opportunity to play the style we’ve been playing since October last year, with the type of players Sam and I are, as smaller halves playing the ball.
‘We didn’t have to blow up the whole system and come up with another system, which we should have done with a Manu or another full-back.’
Keary said the loss to Penrith could not be placed on the shoulders of Smith or Connor Watson as substitute hooker.
“Putting the team under pressure with mistakes, penalties, six times over. If you do that against every team in the NRL you’ve got a problem,” Keary said.
‘If you do it to Penrith you get the death penalty.
“We can talk about different combinations on the field. But as a team we have to give these guys who come in a chance.”