James Tedesco has been almost unstoppable in the NRL this season – but now he meets the man who has brought him to a halt more than once during his excellent career.
Vikiame Kikau had only been on the field a few minutes during his NRL debut when he chased through a bomb and flattened Tedesco.
Tedesco was playing for the Wests Tigers at Campbelltown in 2017, and Kikau immediately announced himself to the rugby league world when he took the field for the Panthers and completed one of the all-time tackles.
Then, during a game in 2020, Kikau drove Tedesco deep into the turf as he collected a grubber kick.
And in round five last year, Kikau was at it again, this time running over the top of Tedesco, which left him with a heavy concussion, but one he was also able to quickly overcome.
Bulldogs back-rower Kikau has terrorised no shortage of players over the years, but Tedesco was entitled to have a complex after featuring more times than he would have liked on the Fijian’s highlights reel.
James Tedesco knows what it is like to be flattened by Viliame KikauCredit: Tom Compagnoni/SMH
Tedesco is one of the competition’s form fullbacks, while Kikau is consistently among the top three second-rowers in the game.
“He’s had a few [big hits] on me now. I’ll get one back [on him] hopefully,” Tedesco said about stopping Kikau, ahead of Friday night’s showdown between the Roosters and Bulldogs.
“He’s a beast, and he’s been playing such good footy. That [left] edge for them is dangerous with ‘Kiks’ and ‘Burto’ [Matt Burton].
“Hopefully the boys up front can stop him so I’m not stuck with one-on-one.
Roosters captain James Tedesco.Credit: Getty Images
“I remember that [debut]. I just remember catching the bomb and getting absolutely flattened.
“If you give him time and space, he creates a lot of momentum and a lot of opportunities. It will be a big job for our right edge on Friday night. It’s been a big talking point for us this week. They’ll be up for it, for sure.”
Tedesco has appreciated the rise of the Bulldogs under coach Cameron Ciraldo, someone he played alongside with Italy at the 2013 World Cup and played under when Ciraldo took charge of the Azzurri at the 2017 Cup.
NRL table-toppers Canterbury have been excellent across the opening 10 rounds – but so has Tedesco, who playing well enough to return to the Origin arena, but already made peace he will not be the NSW No.1 named on Sunday night.
The 32-year-old lost his Blues spot last year to Penrith’s four-time premiership winner Dylan Edwards, who is expected to keep the custodian role.
Tedesco said he was at the stage of his career where he was more than comfortable to block out the Origin talk.
He added it was much harder to perform each week when there was the pressure of being the Origin incumbent.
“It’s easier than being on the other side,” Tedesco said.
“I was there for seven or eight years as [NSW] fullback, then the start of the year rolls around, people start talking about form, and other fullbacks. I think that was definitely harder [to deal with]. I haven’t felt that this year.
“As I’ve got older and more experienced, I’m a lot better at that. When you’re young, you’re looking for people to give you positive comments. I’ve realised to ‘let go’, and not focus on that.”
Tedesco said he believed he was more than capable of delivering for NSW.
“I still feel like the way I’m playing means I can do good things in that jersey, whether it’s for NSW or Australia,” he said. “I’d love to because we play the game to play in representative teams, to be the best in your position, and play against the best.”
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