When Josh Dugan received the phone call from NSW coach Laurie Daley, telling him he wouldn’t be wearing the sky blue No.1 jumper during this year’s State of Origin series, he couldn’t argue.
While a fire burns within the St George Illawarra star to prove himself the best fullback in the game, he acknowledged James Tedesco’s case was too compelling to ignore.
Daley had no shortage of options to fill the Blues’ custodian position with Dugan, Jarryd Hayne and Jack Bird in his 17 and Matt Moylan named 18th man.
By his own admission, Tedesco’s form has taken a hit this year with drama enveloping the Wests Tigers, however Daley has chosen to stay the course with Tedesco at No.1, having blooded him in last year’s game-three dead rubber.
Dugan said he couldn’t argue with Daley’s selection, as much as he desired to play No.1 for his state.
“He’s a great talent, he’s a great player and a freak,” Dugan said of Tedesco.
“When Loz told me he was going to pick Tedesco at fullback and me at centre, I had no ill feeling at all because I know how good a player he is.
“I’d rather be in a team with him than not playing at all.”
Despite going somewhat off the boil and being short of his brilliant best, Tedesco remains one of the best-performed No.1s in the game and, after 11 rounds, is second in the league for tackle busts (73) and third for metres made (1800).
Asked about keeping players of the calibre of Hayne and Dugan out of the NSW No.1 jumper, Tedesco said: “It’s confidence-boosting”.
“Those two (Hayne and Dugan) have shown they can play anywhere in the backline and still have great games.
“I think just to have those options outside me will take the heat off me and I’ll be able to use them whenever I can.”