James Tedesco will now follow in the footsteps of an exclusive club of True Blues greats after being appointed captain of the Kangaroos for the upcoming World Cup.
Having led the Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues for a third-straight Ampol State of Origin series in 2022 (Games Two and Three in 2020), the fullback now joins seven other True Blues to captain both NSW and Australia in the same year.
Those players are Boyd Cordner, Blues assistant Danny Buderus, Rugby League Immortal Andrew Johns, current NSW coach Brad Fittler, Laurie Daley, Max Krilich, and Steve Rogers.
Two more True Blues – Tommy Raudonikis OAM and Geoff Toovey – captained their state and country at different stages of their representative careers.
Former Sydney Roosters teammate Cordner and Fittler – the man who awarded him the NSW captaincy back in 2020 – represent two of Tedesco’s closest mentors when it comes to leadership.
The 29-year-old adds his name to that esteemed company when he leads Mal Meninga’s new-look Kangaroos in arguably the most anticipated Rugby League World Cup with the Test calendar heavily disrupted by COVID in the past three years. The Australian side last played a Test match in November 2019.
On top of all his individual accolades to round off the Roosters’ and Origin season – the Brad Fittler Medal, Jack Gibson Medal, and RLPA Players’ Champion to name a few – the latest honour is right at the top of the list for Tedesco.
“I don’t think there’s a higher honour to represent Australia and pull the Australian jersey on,” Tedesco said at Monday’s squad announcement.
“Being given the opportunity to captain and lead the whole country, I don’t think there is a higher honour in the game.
“When Mal gave me the call I was pretty speechless and really proud of myself.
“It’s big task but I’m looking forward to it, it’s a great opportunity, and we’ve got plenty of leaders around me as well to help.
“Running out as captain with the Australian jersey on is going to be a really proud moment for myself and my family.”
