NSW assistant coach Danny Buderus says it would be natural for James Tedesco to have felt the weight of the state on his shoulders, insisting the skipper is primed to rise to the occasion as the Blues bid to avoid a State of Origin series whitewash.
Tedesco will break new ground on Wednesday when he surpasses a record set by Buderus for most consecutive Origin matches for NSW.
The Blues captain, who will play his 22th straight Origin fixture, has for the first time in his NSW career faced questions over whether he is the right man to play fullback for coach Brad Fittler.
Tedesco’s club form and the Blues’ 2-0 loss have created plenty of speculation, but Buderus is surprised that the experienced No.1 has faced such scrutiny.
“He has always set the standard,” Buderus said.
“It’s been an interesting series off the field as well, there's been a lot going on.
“There's been little hurdles here and there and for the players it's tough.
“It’s tough at times for someone like Teddy as well, being skipper you do feel a bit of a burden.
“Hopefully he can shake it off and play and be relaxed and carefree.
“It’s a game where he wants to come out in front of his home fans and provide them with a chance to cheer, the good things we’ll do will be having James Tedesco around it.”
Buderus said starting a run-first hooker in Damien Cook at No. 9 for the first time this series would also bring the best out of Tedesco.
“Having some speed around the ruck really unlocks Teddy,” Buderus said.
Cook’s return to the starting side is one of seven changes made by the Blues as they seek to avoid a 3-0 series defeat for the first time since 2010.
While conjecture around Fittler’s long-term position as NSW coach will continue to rumble on through the year regardless of Wednesday’s result, Buderus said the new faces in the Blues side would be playing for their future.
“You want to send a message for the next series,” Buderus said.
“Queensland have done that previously when we’ve been 2-0 up and they have come back and played well in the third game.
“It’s about making sure the Origin tale keeps going and what you want to be known as.
“It can come down to sending a message in the last set of the game but we get a whole game to set the tone for the next series.”
