Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters is being lauded for making sure former captain James Tedesco got onto the field before Australia sealed their dominant Rugby League World Cup victory over New Zealand.
The 34-year-old’s injection into the game with six minutes left on the clock sparked one of the biggest cheers of Sunday night’s final at Suncorp Stadium, at the end of which he confirmed he would bow out from the international game.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: James Tedesco calls time on international career
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“It’s been three years since I put this jersey on, so just to be a part of this group, whatever my role was among this team, I was happy with,” he said.
“I obviously got a game early and just to play my role in amongst the squad, so it’s really special,” Tedesco told Seven after the game..
“This will be my last time wearing this Australian jersey after this, so to get a couple of minutes and win a World Cup is pretty special.
“Last one. That’s me done.”
Walters’ biggest headache before the five-week tournament was to pick between reigning Clive Churchill medallist Tedesco and Broncos superstar Reece Walsh for the No.1 jersey.
Fresh off captaining the Roosters to the NRL premiership, 34-year-old Tedesco was in hot form and had been backed by many to start at fullback.
But Walters went with Walsh, leaving Tedesco to bide his time on the bench for most of the tournament.
Walsh repaid the faith shown in him with a stunning campaign, including a sublime performance in Sunday night’s final at Suncorp Stadium to lift the Aussies over the line.
Not to be forgotten though, Tedesco — in his fourth World Cup — came onto the pitch with around six minutes on the clock, giving him the perfect send-off to international rugby league.
“Well done, Kevvie,” Trent Robinson, who coaches Tedesco at the Roosters, said on commentary when he came on for Ethan Strange.
“Teddy, 34 years of age, captained Australia in game two, and then that’s just a nod of respect from Kevvie to Ted.
“Just a captain of his club, state and also country over his years, and he’s just said, ‘You deserve to be out there’. Well done, Kev Walters.”
Andrew Voss added: “Is it written in the stars that Tedesco gets this — if it is to be his last appearance in the green and gold — does he get the moment?
“Again, what Trent said, it’s some shout by the Australian coach, Kevin Walters.
“Ethan Strange, great respect — he sat back down and the call came: ‘Tedesco, you’re on’.”
Speaking after the 32-12 victory, Walters said he was always going to get Tedesco on.
“I felt for James with the competition between him and Reece,” he told Seven.
“I can only pick one fullback because they are both genuine fullbacks.
“Reece has learnt so much off James and that is what rugby league does. For James to give back to our group is reward for him.
“I was trying to get him on earlier because I know how much it means to him to play for the green and gold. He’s had a great year and is a World Cup winner as well.”
Tedesco said he was grateful to get a chance to come on.
“It’s just awesome to be part of this journey. I didn’t expect to be playing or get any minutes, but thankful Kev gave me the last five minutes there,” he said after the game.
“To be a part of this group is really special. The boys played awesome tonight.” Star teammate Harry Grant said Tedesco has been a giant of the game.
“He’s such a character of the game that’s given so much over the years. An incredible leader and just a great role model for the game,” Grant said.
“To be able to play two World Cups now with him is something I will pinch myself (over). But congrats to him with his international campaign.”
