Brad Fittler admits he could never have predicted the footballer James Tedesco would become after the man dubbed the world's best player sealed a last-gasp State of Origin series win for NSW.
Tedesco, hailed as the leading player on the planet by his Roosters coach Trent Robinson, touched down for his second try with less than 30 seconds left to send the Blues into raptures at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday night.
NSW butchered a 12-point lead inside the last 10 minutes and needed Tedesco's late heroics, set up when the recalled Mitchell Pearce lofted a pass to Tom Trbojevic to put Blake Ferguson into space, to win 26-20 after a wild decider.
Asked about Tedesco, who was later named the Wally Lewis Medal winner as player of the series, Fittler said: "Youve got to say at the moment [he's the best in the game], but hes got a long way to go. I could never see the player he is today. I just never saw it. Hes proved a lot of people wrong.
Advertisement
"He plays the big games so well. Hes pretty good. He was solid today from a point of view he took some tough runs and the stuff he does working around the ball and defence, theres no doubt theyve all learned off Billy [Slater]. That job is so difficult and youve got to be so fit. Hes special."
Fittler jubilantly ran onto the ANZ Stadium field after NSW's miraculous late try, prompting the coach to wonder if he would cost his side or invading the pitch.
Matchwinner: James Tedesco goes over for his first try of the night.Credit:AAP
Fittler became only the second NSW coach in Origin history after Phil Gould to hoist the interstate spoils twice. He still has one more year to run on his Blues deal, which automatically rolled over to the end of 2020 after he won last year's series.
He said the moment brought back memories of Mark Coyne's "miracle" try for the Maroons in 1994.
"I reckon I know how Wally [Lewis] felt," Fittler joked. "I was a bit nervous because I was on the field and I was thinking, can they take the try off us because Im on the field? Queensland has done that a lot to us and it was nice to get one back.
"I thought they were better than us with the week they had and players they pulled in. You make your own [luck]. Mitchell Pearce finding that space at the death, thats not luck. Hes gone through a lot of disappointment and a lot of blokes wouldnt have thrown [the pass]."
He plays the big games so well. Theres no doubt theyve all [fullbacks] learned off Billy [Slater]. That job is so difficult and youve got to be so fit. Hes special
Brad FittlerRead More – Source
[contf] [contfnew]
Australian Breaking News Headlines
[contfnewc] [contfnewc]
