Home

NRL: James Tedesco wary of Blues brother Tom Trbojevic ahead of epic semi-final

Matt Logue NCA NewsWire
Not Supplied
Camera IconNot Supplied Credit: News Corp Australia

Sydney Roosters skipper James Tedesco is expecting close friend and NSW Blues Origin brother Tom Trbojevic to ignore the critics and “come out firing” for Manly in Friday’s semi-final.

The Sea Eagles are reeling following a 40-12 loss to Melbourne, but Tedesco knows Trbojevic will be ready to perform in a do-or-die clash.

The Roosters captain doesn’t understand the criticism levelled at ‘Turbo’ following his quiet performance in Manly’s big loss to the Storm.

“I don’t know why people would criticise him for that,” Tedesco said.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

“Tommy doesn’t have much social media, so I doubt that he’d read much.

“He probably feels like he could have done more and I’m sure he will go out and do everything he can to prove that.

“And I’m sure it won’t just be him personally and I think them just losing in general he wouldn’t take too well to that.

“I know him, and (brother) Jake take that to heart, so they are going to come out and do everything they can to win.

“They will be coming out firing.

“I’m sure that means more touches and involvement for Tommy, so it is a big job.”

Melbourne did a magnificent job marking Trbojevic in defence and limiting his chances in attack with a pinpoint kicking game.

Tedesco says the Roosters can learn lessons from the Storm’s blueprint to shutdown “Turbo”.

“Well, they didn’t give him many opportunities,” he said.

“The whole team in general didn’t give him much ball inside their half and it is pretty hard for Tommy to come up with plays just from his own end most of the game.

“It is a good lesson for us to hold the ball and kick it back to them and keep them down their end as much as possible.

“If you give Tommy more than a couple of opportunities, he is going to make you pay.”

Tedesco will also put aside his close friendships with Manly’s Trbojevic brothers in Friday’s semi-final.

“I’m close to Jake and Tom and a few of the other Manly boys,” he said.

“We’ve been wishing each other luck all year and now we come up against each other to knock each other out of the finals.

“It is going to be an enjoyable game. Tommy has been in such great form all year and he has been good to watch and now we are up against it.

“We’ve got to keep him quiet, and it is a big job for us.”

Tedesco thought the Roosters were gone in the final seconds of last weekend’s elimination final against the Gold Coast before his teammates produced a host of match-saving plays under pressure to secure a one-point win.

He feels grateful that the Tricolours have received another chance in the finals despite conceding a “not semi-final standard” 24 points against the Titans.

Originally published as NRL: James Tedesco wary of Blues brother Tom Trbojevic ahead of epic semi-final

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails