Tedesco wants to dethrone Roos No.1

BLUES custodian James Tedesco plans to become the world’s best fullback and pitch Darius Boyd out of the Kangaroos No.1 jersey.

Tedesco will make just his second State of Origin appearance in Wednesday’s series-opener at Suncorp Stadium.

While he is a newcomer to the Origin arena, the elusive Wests Tigers flyer has set lofty representative goals.

Now he has retained the NSW fullback duties, Tedesco has set his sights on securing a berth in Mal Meninga’s Kangaroos squad for the World Cup.

“It was my aspiration at the start of the year (to become the world’s best fullback),” he said.

“With all the dramas and stuff that’s been going on this year (at the Tigers), it probably hasn’t gone the way I hoped. I still have those aspirations in the future.

“To be the No.1 fullback in NSW at the moment is confidence boosting.

“Hopefully I can take that confidence back to club footy and be the best in the game by the end of the year.”

It would take something special for Meninga to relegate Boyd from the Test duties.

Boyd held off a challenge from Origin veteran Billy Slater for the Maroons fullback duties in game one and has been excellent for the Kangaroos.

But the 24-year-old Tedesco dreams big and knows he must thrive in the Origin series to have any chance of convincing Meninga he is worth selecting for the World Cup.

“It (Origin) is the biggest stage in the game at the moment,” he said.

“If I can stamp my authority as the best in this arena that will go a long way to being the best in the game.”