Tedesco ready to stop Slater playing saviour

JAMES Tedesco is determined to be the man who stands in the way of a fairytale send-off for Queensland’s favourite son, Billy Slater.

The Blues will expect Queensland to take its game to another level tomorrow night in a bid to keep its Origin campaign alive and edge a step closer to sending out Slater a winner at Suncorp Stadium on July 11 in Origin III.

Slater, who has been key to Queensland’s dominance over the past decade, announced his retirement from representative football in May, with this series his last. He missed the opening game with a hamstring injury.

Tedesco said Queensland will be doing everything it can in Sydney to ensure Slater gets the opportunity to lift the trophy in Brisbane.

“His inclusion will be very big for them,” Tedesco said.

“Him coming back for his last few games for Queensland means they will be lifting for him.”

Queensland lacked direction in Game One in Melbourne and Tedesco said Slater’s inclusion will go a long to rectifying that tomorrow

“The experience he brings, the way he organises the defensive line and what he can do in attack, he’ll be a big factor,” he said. “We’ll have to be at our best to defend against him.”

It’s almost a case of déjà vu after Slater also came back in Game 2last year after missing out in the opener. Along with Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston, Slater inspired Queensland to the 18-16 win that saved last year’s series and set up its win in the decider.

Maroons skipper Greg Inglis believes Slater’s return tomorrow night will have a similar effect.

“It’s been said that in Game 1 we lost over 100 games’ experience,” Inglis said. “People don’t realise what Bill brings to the side. Last year it was a massive mistake on Queensland’s behalf in Game 1 [to leave Slater out].

“He came back and you could see the difference he made to the team.

“Bill’s a one-of-a-kind and I don’t think we’ll see another player like him throughout the next 10 years or so.”

Lining up opposite, Tedesco was electric for NSW in Game 1, delivering a performance considered the best by a Blues fullback in recent memory.

He ran riot through the middle, and he expects Queensland’s defence won’t afford him the same space it did two weeks ago.

“I don’t know about target me, but I don’t think I’ll have the same opportunities in Game 2,” Tedesco said.