THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE IN BLOCKBUSTER BATTLE
HE ONCE earned just $18 a day representing his country in a World Cup but Sydney Roosters superstar James Tedesco is now preparing for a $2.2m mega-battle with Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic.
When Tedesco played for Italy during the 2013 World Cup in England, he and his Azzurri teammates were paid about $40 a day during the fourweek World Cup – and just $18.80 on arrival and departure days.
How times change. Tedesco is now earning $1.1m a year with the Sydney
Roosters and will embark on a mouthwatering one-on-one battle with Trbojevic – also on a $1.1m annual contract – in Friday’s elimination final.
It’s a clash that is certain to light up week two of the finals and Tedesco wasn’t ready to write off Trbojevic, despite the criticism the Manly star faced for his performance in the Sea Eagles’ loss to Melbourne.
“I don’t know why he is getting criticism,” Tedesco said. “He probably feels like he could have done more …
“We have to keep him quiet and that will be a big job for us as a whole defensive line.”