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Tedesco or Edwards? Who should start for Game I
Nicholas Quinlan • May 3rd, 2026 3:42 pm
James Tedesco or Dylan Edwards at fullback?
It’s the selection question that has dominated the NSW Blues for the last three years.
And for Denan Kemp, he believes that Tedesco should regain his spot within Laurie Daley’s side.
After making his Origin debut during Game II of the 2024 series, Edwards has not looked back, having started every subsequent game for NSW.
This isn’t from a want of trying, though, by Tedesco, whose form during 2025 was good enough to win his second Dally M Medal.
And in 2026, the 33-year-old has maintained his fine form, having averaged 225.5 run metres through his first eight games, with Edwards only slightly behind (208.9m per game).
Out of the two options, Kemp thinks Teddy has done enough to regain selection.
But notes that Edwards could maintain his spot if coach Laurie Daley wants to maximise the chemistry with teammate Nathan Cleary in the side.
“I think individually, I would go Teddy at this stage even though Edwards has been quite good,” Kemp said on SEN’s Saturday League Kick-Off.
“I just wonder, combinations-wise, whether that will get Edwards across the line just because he plays with Cleary every single week.
It's a tough one. It's very hard to deny Teddy with how good he is playing.
“The only thing is that he has had a couple of opportunities recently to get back in the side, and unfortunately, he hasn't played the best.
“Also, the Roosters game is built all around him.
“He's the number one. When he wants the ball, he gets it every single time.
“Whereas you look at the Nathan Cleary game, it's built around him. Whatever he wants, he gets.
“It's can either Cleary or Teddy take a step back? That's the hard question.”
The men’s State of Origin begins on May 27 at Accor Stadium in Sydney.
