James Tedesco wants to extend his Roosters contract until the eve of his 34th birthday, indicating he has no desire to leave the tricolours despite admitting he’s desperate for Joseph Suaali’i to take up his option to remain at the club.
On the same day he allayed fears about Luke Keary’s immediate future as he sits out the Roosters’ final trial following a jaw injury, World Cup-winning captain Tedesco has opened up on his desire to extend his career at Bondi and the looming fullback logjam.
The 30-year-old is contracted to the Roosters until the end of next season, but with Joseph Manu and Suaali’i both showing their prowess at fullback in the World Cup, Roosters coach Trent Robinson and club boss Nick Politis will handle the futures of all three with caution.
Tedesco led the Kangaroos to a World Cup triumph last year, Australia defeating New Zealand with Manu at fullback in the semi-final and then downing Suaali’i’s Samoa in the Old Trafford decider.
“I love the Roosters club and I’ve had such a great experience since coming across to the Roosters, and now I captain the club,” Tedesco said at the TPS Sydney Pro-Am at Bonnie Doon Golf Club on Wednesday.
“At the moment I feel like I’m still at my peak. I’ve just turned 30 and my body is feeling really good. If I can extend for a couple of more years [that would be good].
James Tedesco was in winning form on the golf course on Wednesday.Credit:Andy Cheung
“It’s more about how I feel and I don’t know how I’ll be feeling in a couple of years. It’s more about how I look after my body and that’s the big part of playing longer. As I get a bit older I’m just tweaking things a little more, my recovery, diet, sleep because I want to keep playing as long as I can.”
A one-year contract extension with the Roosters would take Tedesco through until the 2025 World Cup, but the Roosters are also desperate to keep Suaali’i, who has an option in his deal this year to switch to an NRL rival or swap codes.
The 19-year-old will shift into the centres in 2023, but Robinson has shown in the past he can use the likes of Manu to terrorise opposition defences through the middle.
Asked about Suaali’i’s future, Tedesco said: “I don’t think I need to persuade him or try to convince him to stay. It’s totally his call. I remember when I was going through similar stuff and people were trying to tell me what to do, it can all get a bit much. I’m close with Suaali’i and if he needs anyone to talk to, I’m always there for him. At the end of the day, it’s his decision.
“[But] I’d love to have him. We obviously want him to stay. He’s going to be awesome for us. He could do anything he wants. The world is at his feet. He’s been training at centre for us and he’s been looking outstanding. He’s just another weapon for us in the back line.”
Tedesco will play his first game of the season against Manly in a trial at Gosford on Friday night, but the Roosters will rest Keary following a jaw injury suffered in training.
Tedesco said the five-eighth’s history of concussion would mean the club would treat his latest setback with caution, but played down the seriousness of the mishap.
“He’s fine,” Tedesco said. “He had a knock last week before the first trial he was meant to play. He’ll be ready to go for round one. There’s no point risking him for a trial. He’s had a great pre-season and he and Sammy Walker have been looking so sharp. It’s a bit of a concern because of his history, but once you talk to him he’s all right.
“He’s been messaging me all day asking how I’m going and how I was off the first. He’s a keen golfer.”
Tedesco teamed up with LPGA rookie Grace Kim, veteran cricketer Dan Christian and ultra-runner Nedd Brockman to win the morning Pro-Am at TPS Sydney, an event hosted by Braith Anasta.
“He hit a couple of weird drives but his wedge game was [great],” Kim said of Tedesco. “I think he needs to keep that in the bag.”
