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Tedesco misses start of Origin camp

3 minute read

James Tedesco won't join NSW's State of Origin camp until later in the week as medical staff try to get his knee right for Game 1 on November 4.

JAMES TEDESCO of the Blues is tackled by Felipe Kaufusi of the Maroons during the State Of Origin series between the Queensland Maroons and the New South Wales Blues at the MCG in Melbourne, Australia.
JAMES TEDESCO of the Blues is tackled by Felipe Kaufusi of the Maroons during the State Of Origin series between the Queensland Maroons and the New South Wales Blues at the MCG in Melbourne, Australia. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

James Tedesco will miss the first part of NSW's State of Origin camp as he attempts to get his knee right for the Adelaide series opener on November 4.

The Blues left Sydney for their base on the state's Central Coast on Monday, with several big names missing.

Of the 20 already picked in the 27-man squad, the five players knocked out in the preliminary finals will be given more time out of the bubble before joining.

Luke Keary and Clint Gutherson will also join later, after attending Monday night's Dally M Medal.

But the bigger issue is Tedesco, who has been named as the Blues' MVP in their past two series wins.

The Sydney Roosters superstar was hurt in the first half of his team's semi-final loss to Canberra a week and a half ago.

He was out of his knee brace at the squad's brief catch-up in Sydney, but still had compression wear around the joint.

He is therefore not expected to join coach Brad Fittler and the rest of the group on the Central Coast until at least Friday.

"We're still waiting on that (injury)," Fittler said.

"The good thing is their (Roosters) medical staff are involved with us, with Travis (Touma). He will be our best indication.

"The communication will be good, we'll know exactly where he is and hopefully he can get up for Game I."

NSW are already without Tom Trbojevic, but Fittler is insistent depth won't be an issue at the back.

Instead he is confident that could be the Blues' biggest advantage across the board, with three games inside 15 days for the first time ever.

Gutherson is the Blues' other option at No.1, while Fittler hinted Ryan Papenhuyzen could come into camp after Sunday's grand final.

"We have had a few good fullbacks this year, obviously Tommy is no good but Ryan Papenhuyzen plays this week for Melbourne," Fittler said.

"So I think we're really comfortable with the depth.

"The depth can be an advantage for us, I think it can be our strength."

Meanwhile Fittler said he'd kept room in his squad for a grand-final bolter.

There remain seven spots still to be filled from Melbourne and Penrith, with the Blues having juggled keeping space while also naming players once their season is over.

Panthers Stephen Crichton, Moses Leota, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo and Api Koroisau are all uncapped but could tempt NSW coaching staff.

"There is most probably an opportunity there if someone has a big game," Fittler said.

"We have left ourselves a bit of room with one or two players.

"It gets a little bit stressful coming into the past couple of games because players improve and they jump out at you.

"And you think have I left enough room?"

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