Bad news, Bears: Roosters have no intention of letting Tedesco go

3 months ago 12

Sydney Roosters skipper James Tedesco won’t be crossing the Nullarbor any time soon if coach Trent Robinson has his way.

Tedesco, the champion fullback and former NSW and Kangaroos skipper, has reportedly been identified by incoming NRL franchise Perth Bears as the man to lead them into their inaugural NRL campaign in 2027.

The 32-year-old is off contract at the end of next season and can negotiate with rival teams from November 1.

While Perth have a blank chequebook, Robinson made it clear he wants Tedesco to finish his career with the Roosters, for whom he has played 179 NRL games since joining them from Wests Tigers in 2018.

“It’s a pretty easy answer from my point of view,” Robinson said.

“We’re not looking at anyone else. He’s clearly our captain and our No.1. We’ve got some young guys that are developing in the future, but our current fullback and our future one for the next few years is Teddy. So that’s a pretty easy choice.”

Robinson said the new franchises in Perth and Papua New Guinea had raised the stakes for existing clubs with regards to roster management.

“I think it’s great for the competition that they’re coming in,” he said.

“It makes clubs be really aware of planning for the future really well. And if you’re clear on what your team looks like, not in 2026, but in 2027, 2028, 2029, then you’re going to plan towards that and sign those players.

“I think the competition [to sign players] creates better planning for the clubs currently in the competition, so I think that’s a good thing.”

Tedesco has arguably never been in better form, which Robinson attributed to his quest for “continual improvement”.

While dual premiership winner Tedesco rates as one of the Roosters’ greatest signings, there is hope Daly Cherry-Evans can have a similar impact next season.

The Manly captain is reported to have agreed to terms with the Roosters some time ago, but no deal has been announced, and there is zero chance of that happening this week, given the two clubs clash at Brookvale on Saturday in a fixture crucial to their finals hopes.

With six rounds remaining, Manly are currently ninth on the premiership ladder, and the Roosters are 10th, two points behind them.

“I know it’s definitely a talking point,” Robinson said of Cherry-Evans.

“I’ve seen that already. But that’s a bit of a sideshow to what really matters this weekend for us ... nothing’s been signed or anything like that, so those conversations will take place when they need to.

“But this week’s not the week either. I don’t think we’re going to agree to anything this week or sign anything this week. That’ll come in due course.

“But I think both our focus is on playing footy and doing the best we can this weekend and for the rest of the year.”

After a three-day training camp on the Central Coast, the Roosters are confident they can still make the finals. Their next two games, against Manly and the Dolphins, could prove decisive.

But even if they fall short, Robinson believes he is building a premiership squad, especially with NSW Origin hooker Reece Robson already signed for next year.

“We openly say that we want to play for premierships,” Robinson said.

“What does that look like? Are you developing a team to play for premierships?”

Robinson said Victor Radley, who has been named in jersey No.22 this week because of a shoulder problem, was “touch and go” and would need to pass a fitness test on Friday.

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