Roosters coach Trent Robinson has leapt to James Tedesco’s defence after the champion fullback was twice beaten in aerial contests, and left to rue damage on the scoreboard on both occasions, as the Tricolours slumped to a 20-18 loss to the Raiders on Sunday night.
Jack Wighton and Sebastian Kris both soared above Tedesco to set up tries as the Raiders shot out to an 18-0 lead in the first 30 minutes of the Sydney Football Stadium clash.
Wighton flew above the Roosters skipper and came tumbling back down to grab the first try of the match, before Kris jumped above the 2019 Dally M Medal winner, batted the ball back and celebrated as Matthew Timoko swooped and scored.
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It was only a few weeks ago that Lindsay Collins showed up his Roosters teammate in an aerial contest in State of Origin I, soaring above him, plucking the ball and offloading to Cameron Munster as Queensland sealed victory at Adelaide Oval.
Tedesco was critical of his aerial performances against the Raiders on Sunday night.
“I’ve just got to be better there,” he said in the Roosters’ press conference.
“There’s not really any reason to it.
“Just got to be confident in going up and taking it.
“Those two tries cost us in the end.”
Robinson chimed in, saying Tedesco was being “harsh” on himself.
“Teddy’s got the best defusal rates of fullbacks over year on year,” said the Roosters mentor.
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“He’s been outstanding at those.
“He’s disappointed tonight, but he’s the safest man at the back there that the game’s seen in a long, long time.
“Teddy doesn’t like it, but that’s not a habit; that’s just a game.”
While the Raiders rocketed out to an 18-0 lead on the back of tries scored by Wighton, Albert Hopoate and Timoko, two pieces of Joey Manu magic on either side of half-time ensured the Roosters remained in the contest.
The Kiwi international burst onto a Luke Keary offload, weaved through traffic, eyed Kris and bulldozed over the Canberra fullback to score on the stroke of half-time.
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Then after the break, he leapt above Jarrod Croker to take a Keary kick, before extending his right arm at full stretch to reach the white stripe as he crashed to the turf.
What proved the difference when the full-time siren blew was a Croker penalty goal, which came on the back of a scrum infringement 54 minutes into the game.
The Raiders and Roosters are both dealing with fresh injury concerns.
Josh Papalii’s night was ended by a hamstring injury in the first 10 minutes, while Angus Crichton (knee) played no part after half-time and Egan Butcher failed a head injury assessment.
The Roosters are struggling in 12th on the ladder after round 17, while the Raiders are placed fifth.
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