James Tedesco will make his return to the Kangaroos at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday against Fiji, three years after his last Test appearance, and has played down any suggestion the match is a showdown with Reece Walsh for the fullback jersey.
Tedesco last wore the Australian jumper in the 2023 Pacific Championships final, a 30-0 loss to New Zealand. Since then, the 33-year-old has won the Dally M medal and the Clive Churchill Medal, captained the Roosters to premiership glory with an NRL-record 383 running metres in the grand final, and regained his New South Wales jersey in this year's triumphant State of Origin campaign.
"I don't think much has changed," Tedesco said. "Off the field a lot's changed for me; I'm a family man now with two girls. But in terms of my footy, how I approach every week, my routine and preparation, that's never really changed throughout my career."
Teammate Cameron Murray rejected the idea that Tedesco's recall marked a return to form. "I wouldn't call it a turnaround or a return to form, I think he's always been in pretty good form, and he's always been up there among the best since he's been playing," Murray said. "He's one of those champion players you want to play alongside."
In Tedesco's absence, Reece Walsh staked a claim to the No. 1 jersey, scoring a try and saving another in the Kangaroos' 24-22 win over the Kiwis in his first game since round 24 after recovering from a syndesmosis issue. Tedesco said he did not view Sunday's clash as a chance to fend off Walsh's challenge. "I don't really see it like that," he said. "I don't know if it's going to be my last, but I know I should put all my energy and focus into this weekend and playing good footy."
Tedesco said he had offered Walsh help since the decision was made for the Broncos fullback to play. "[Walsh] wants the big moments," he said. "He hadn't played in seven weeks because of his injury, but he turned up in big moments and nailed them and executed."
The match is also expected to feature Sam Walker's Test debut, with the Roosters halfback expected to line up alongside Tom Dearden. Cameron Munster is set to be rested, while Mitchell Moses' World Cup is over after a leg injury. Munster remains the hot favourite for the five-eighth role at the tournament's business end, leaving Dearden and Walker to contest the No. 7 jersey.
Tedesco backed Walker to shine on the world stage. "He's had a great year, debuting for Queensland, a premiership and now Australia at the young age he is," he said. "Learning from Chez [Daly Cherry-Evans] has been great for his development. I know he'll be ready to go."