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Tedesco and Edwards still in Origin contention admits Laurie Daley
Sam Kosack • May 12th, 2025 7:06 pm
New South Wales coach Laurie Daley says James Tedesco and Dylan Edwards are both still in contention to be the Blues' fullback in Game I with NSW's squad announced on Sunday.
Dylan Edwards is the incumbent for the role, playing in the fullback jersey for games two and three of the 2024 series, which NSW ultimately went on to win.
Tedesco played every Origin game between 2017 and 2023 before being dropped in favour of Edwards for the first game of 2024. He would, however, play that game after Edwards was ruled out with injury.
Daley said a decision hadn’t been made on who would be NSW’s fullback.
“I think Teddy's playing great football and I think he deserves to be in the conversation,” Daley told SEN 1170 Drive.
“Teddy played Origin 1 last year, and then Dylan, obviously came in Game 2 and 3 and New South Wales won so it was always going to be difficult to oust him once he played well in Game 2.
“Teddy's playing good football. It's a decision that we have been throwing around but Dylan's done nothing wrong and he is the incumbent and a part of the last four Grand Final wins from Penrith.
“He hasn't done anything wrong but I think that it's a good position for us to be in when we're sitting down at that selection table next week so we just have to wait and see who's available and then sort of start to pin the names in the book.”
So far in 2025, Tedesco has two tries and seven try assists from his nine appearances, on average running for 203 metres and breaking seven tackles a game.
Comparatively, from seven games, Edwards has two tries, three try assists, and an average of 189 metres run per game.
Tedesco had the bye last round while Dylan Edwards has the bye this week which could allow Tedesco to make one final push for the Origin spot.
Daley conceded one of the most contentious aspects of the squad was the make-up of the backline, admitting the race for wing spots was still up for grabs.
Parramatta’s Zac Lomax and Penrith’s Brian To’o are the incumbents for the spot but both have faced long-term injuries this season, with both wingers only having a maximum of one game under their belt before Origin I.
Canterbury’s Jacob Kiraz, Manly’s Tom Trbojevic, and Parramatta’s Josh Addo-Carr have all been thrown around as potential options should the pair not be selected, with Daley saying there’s plenty to think about.
“I think we've got wingers that can do a good job,” Daley said.
“Obviously, Brian will come back on the weekend, one game under his belt, not ideal that he doesn’t get to play this weekend. I’m assuming Zac (Lomax) will be back this weekend, again, only one game, heading into an Origin contest.
“So we’re going to work on whether we think both those players or maybe one of those players make the squad.
“You got a guy like Jacob Kiraz who's playing really good football from the dogs and he's got that wonderful combination with a guy like Stephen Crichton.
“There’s plenty to think about.”
However, Daley ruled out selecting Tedesco on the wing.
“Not at this stage,” Daley admitted.
“I would say Teddy is not in the discussion as a winger but that’s not to say that if we didn’t get injuries this weekend that he wouldn’t be.”
The NSW squad is expected to be announced on Sunday night.
