James Tedesco proved once again that form is temporary and class is permanent, starring in the Roosters upset win over the Broncos in the NRL season opener.
In front of a raucous crowd in Las Vegas on Sunday afternoon (AEDT), the champion fullback lit up Allegiant Stadium as the Tricolours upset last year's grand finalists.
Tedesco finished with a game-high 213 run metres, one linebreak and a match-sealing try assist, setting up close mate Victor Radley to secure a 20-10 win against Brisbane.
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The 31-year-old received plenty of criticism last year, with widespread calls for him to be axed from the NSW and Australian teams, as the Chooks barely scraped into the finals.
But with the bright lights of Sin City placed upon him and a renewed focus heading into 2024, Tedesco is now ready to help take the Roosters back to the promised land.
"It was my longest pre-season I've had in a couple of years," he revealed post-game.
"The past couple of years I've had stem cells and I've come back late and only having a couple of weeks under my belt before the start of the season.
"I wanted to get in earlier, get my body right, get physically fit, strong and fast. I need to work hard and once I put that work in, I can go out and play my footy."
The early stages of Tedesco's career were riddled with serious injuries, but since arriving in Bondi six years ago, has become a consistent performer at both club and representative level, cementing himself as a modern-day great.
His performances last season saw Reece Walsh skyrocket into the frame as the NRL's best fullback, which placed even more pressure on Tedesco's shoulders in round one.
But according to premiership winner Michael Ennis during the Fox League broadcast, that individual battle likely spurred Tedesco and his Roosters teammates on.
"It was more than a wholehearted performance tonight … he took it personal," Ennis said.
"He went looking for work. Buzzing around the middle. Testing the big middle forwards on the shortened field. He is just so strong every time he takes on the line.
"He made it personal. There was a lot of hype around Reece Walsh and rightly so. Reece is one of the bright young stars coming through our game – but tonight, the veteran stood up and he was brilliant. He was best on ground and it was a real captain's knock."
Joseph Manu was also in red-hot form in what looms as his final season at the club, while the efforts of Radley and Lindsay Collins in the middle of the park were tireless.
Tedesco's Roosters will return to Australia on Monday for a short break, before returning to action against the other winners from the Vegas trip, Manly, on March 17.
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