From a rejected 14-year-old to one of rugby league's greatest fullbacks
In short: He was once told he wasn't good enough for the junior representative squad. Today, James Tedesco is ranked among the top five fullbacks in the history of the game. Discover the resilient journey of a player who overcame broken jaws and fractured bones to reach the pinnacle of professional rugby league.
James Tedesco’s rise to the top of the National Rugby League (NRL) was far from a guaranteed success. Growing up on a 100-hectare property in Menangle, his early footballing years were marked by struggle. His father recalls that at age 14, Tedesco could not even make the Wests Tigers junior representative squad, often having to 'scrape in' to teams before eventually establishing himself as a premier talent.
His professional career has been defined by both immense achievement and physical hardship. While playing for the Wests Tigers, Tedesco faced a series of significant injuries, including a torn anterior cruciate ligament in 2013, a cracked fibula that he played through for months, and a fractured patella in 2015. He also endured a broken jaw in 2016. Despite these setbacks, his performance remained elite; in 2015, he led the competition in tackle breaks and was a finalist for the Player's Player award.
Tedesco's versatility and leadership have seen him captain both New South Wales in the State of Origin series and the Australian Kangaroos. After moving to the Sydney Roosters in 2018, he secured multiple NRL Grand Final victories in 2018 and 2019, alongside World Club Challenge titles. His individual accolades are extensive, including winning the Dally M Medal as the NRL's best player in 2019 and being named the NSW best player with the Brad Fittler medal in 2018.
Beyond the pitch, his career has seen unique international transitions. He initially represented Italy at the international level from 2013 to 2017, even participating in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, before switching to represent Australia in 2018 and leading them to a World Cup victory in 2022.
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