‘I knew I’d come up with something’: Tedesco relives his 79-minute Origin heroics

A giant photo of James Tedesco finishing a long-range try to seal the 2019 State of Origin series was plastered on one wall inside the NSW sheds on Wednesday night.

You have to wonder how long it will be before we see a similar image of him plucking the ball out of the air to clinch a memorable come-from-behind victory for the Blues on Wednesday night.

It was no fluke that three of NSW’s best players – Tedesco, halfback Nathan Cleary and second-rower Hudson Young – were all involved in the play that broke Queensland hearts in the 79th minute of game one at Accor Stadium.

Young popped up on the right side of the field wanting to take a hit-up, Cleary launched the ball high and straight, and Tedesco steamed through to outleap makeshift Maroons fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. The Blues fullback juggled the ball before securing it and earning the hosts a historic win.

For Tedesco, he again proved he is a big-game player – and at 33, his future remains bright.

“I was going for a few contests all night, I got taken out a couple of times, I got a clear run this time, I got up for it and hoped for the best,” Tedesco told this masthead in the sheds.

“I’ve been trying to do it all year and haven’t come up with one. I came up with one at the right time. It took me back to the 2019 try. I’m just so happy.”

Cleary said of the magical moment: “We had a bit of joy putting it up that side as the game went on. I had Teddy on my inside, telling me to put it up.

“He always steps up in the big moments when we need him. What an amazing play.

“I couldn’t believe it. He juggled it, then I saw him on the ground, and I was like, ‘holey moley’, this is crazy.”

About 10 minutes before his four-pointer that sealed Origin’s greatest comeback, Tedesco threw a shocker of a pass to an unmarked Haumole Olakau’atu, and a try went begging. Had NSW lost the game by a try, that moment would have been everywhere.

“I went to run, I knew we had to get the ball out there somehow, it wasn’t a great pass,” Tedesco said.

“I was hoping he [Olakau’atu] would put it on the foot and not try to pick it up. I knew we had space and numbers. When I threw it, I was ropeable.

“I knew I had to make up for it somehow. That was on my mind a bit. I compete on everything, and if you do it enough times, I knew I’d come up with something in the end.

“Origin games are about big moments. To come up with one at the end was special.

“I’m excited and happy, I’ll enjoy the win, but the boys won the first game last year and got done.”

Tedesco had not worn the sky blue since game one in 2024, and his return at the expense of incumbent No. 1 Dylan Edwards was the biggest talking point leading up to the series.

“I just want to enjoy this moment because you never know when it’s your last,” he said.

“I’ve been here many times, but I really enjoyed coming back into camp and being around some of the best players in the game, just talking footy.

“When I wasn’t in the team, I didn’t think about it too much, but once you’re back, it’s the best game of footy and arena and atmosphere to be involved in.

“I know if I keep enjoying the game and playing at a high level, I’ll make that call [about playing on beyond 2027]. But I’m not even thinking about it.

“I’ll keep looking after self physically and mentally, I’ve had a long career with lots of highs and lows. As long as I’m enjoying what I’m doing, I’ll keep going.”