Eager Tedesco maps out his plan for Roosters
JAMES Tedesco is so eager for a fresh start at the Sydney Roosters that he will cut short his annual leave in order to hit the ground running in round one of the 2018 NRL season.
The superstar fullback hopes to forge a deadly Billy Slater-like partnership with Cooper Cronk when the two prized signings team up for the first time.
To do so, Tedesco knows he needs to be in peak physical condition. Hence Italy’s World Cup talisman is taking less than a month off before getting to work with his new teammates on December 11.
“I was keen to get in there and get started; a new club and a lot of new things to learn,” Tedesco said at Wednesday’s NSW State of Origin jumper launch.
“They said before the World Cup to come back after Christmas, but I wanted to come in and get started a bit earlier, obviously get the fitness up and just get amongst the club and the culture. That’s just me excited and wanting to get stuck in. I can’t wait.”
Tedesco has learnt from being underdone heading into this year with Wests Tigers.
“It’s definitely going to be a challenge for me. There’s a bit of expectation going to a top club like the Roosters,” he said.
While he won’t be reuniting with disgruntled NSW teammate Mitchell Pearce at the Roosters, the 24-year-old is convinced he will flourish alongside Cronk.
“There were a lot of reasons why I wanted to put on the Roosters jersey and represent that club next year and obviously those events (with Pearce) have happened,” Tedesco said.
“But the opportunity to play with Cooper Cronk and learn from him is an experience that I’ll take … and I can’t wait for that. “He’s dominated the game for a number of years now and his footy brain and experience is going to take my game to the next level and I’m really excited and looking forward to it. That combination he’s had with Billy over the years is something that I’ve admired … and that’s something that I’m looking forward to trying to build together.”