Tedesco changes Brisbane tune for Blues

Brisbane redemption has been a long time coming at State of Origin level for Mitchell Pearce.

For NSW teammate James Tedesco, it was just a fortnight.

Tedesco, who endured a miserable night at Suncorp Stadium earlier this month when the Wests Tigers were thrashed by Brisbane, delivered the game-breaking moment in Wednesday’s Origin opener.

A set after Pearce, who had delivered probably his best game at Origin level, had been taken off concussed following a collision with Queensland centre Will Chambers’ shoulder, Tedesco’s first try for the Blues blew the game open.

The fullback’s clever dummy-half run included a step past Maroons’ debutant Anthony Milford, before eluding Michael Morgan and Sam Thaiday to open up a two-try lead which the Blues then used to romp away to victory.

Tedesco’s try was a fitting moment for a player who had been terrorising the Maroons with almost every carry before that moment.

The 24-year-old had racked up almost 150 metres by halftime, every run coming at a speed Queensland found terrifying and near impossible to handle.

Whisper it quietly but the Blues’ No.1 is also unbeaten in his two-game Origin career – a stat few NSW players can boast in the past decade of Maroons’ dominance.

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!