'Madge will want to make changes': Teddy not certain of Blues spot

Long serving NSW captain James Tedesco admits he isn't certain of his place in the side for the Origin series opener, with new Blues coach Michael Maguire poised to make changes.

Despite returning to top form for Sydney Roosters this season, Tedesco again faces a challenge from Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards for the Blues No.1 jersey and revealed he hadn't recently spoken with Maguire about Origin.

“We had a couple of conversations at the start of the year, [but] it was more just with the spine and how we want to play, and that included about 15 people," Tedesco said.

“There's obviously lots of options there for Madge, and whatever he decides we as a whole state have to back it."

Maguire held a meeting with players in contention for spine positions in early April and at that stage Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary was set to play halfback for the Blues, but he will now miss the series with a hamstring injury.

Cleary and South Sydney lock Cameron Murray are the main contenders to captain NSW after Tedesco, but neither is available for Origin I at Accor Stadium on June 5.

Panthers lock Isaah Yeo, who shares the captaincy with Cleary, is almost certain to be in the squad, while Bulldogs centre Stephen Crichton, Wests Tigers hooker Api Koroisau and Sharks forward Cameron McInnes are other club captains expected to be chosen.

With Cleary, Murray, Manly superstar Tom Trbojevic and Eels halfback Mitchell Moses all ruled out through injury, leadership and experience are factors that give Tedesco an edge over Edwards.

However, Edwards leads Dally M voting with Cronulla's Nicho Hynes, who is expected to be NSW halfback, and Tedesco said he would support whatever decision Maguire makes.

“He's playing some really good footy, so it's a decision for Madge, but whatever he decides we have to back it," Tedesco said of Edwards.

“We are missing a few key guys with Nate, Tommy, Cam … they have been in the squad for a long time, so Madge is going to have some tough decisions to make.

"But he’s going to want to make some changes as well, which he's openly said, so we’ll just have to wait and see. Who knows what could happen this weekend.

"There's a lot of different things going on with injuries and people in and out so, honestly, you have just got to see what happens.

“My main focus has just been to put my best foot forward for the Roosters and us winning games."

If Tedesco is feeling any pressure over Origin selections ahead of Saturday's match against Canberra, he hasn't been showing it publicly.

Speaking to the media earlier this week, he was relaxed and pushed the claims of a number of Roosters team-mates, including interchange forward Terrell May.

May has played every match this season and been consistently one of the Roosters best forwards.  

“I think a lot of our boys are putting their hands up for Origin, which is a real positive,” Tedesco said.

“Terrell’s playing some really good footy and he definitely wouldn't be out of place. If it was a local game or an Origin game, he'd play the same. He'd just do his job and do it really well.

“He's gotten better every year, the more confidence he’s got playing first grade regularly - week in and week out - and I think having his man Spencer [Leniu] here, as well, has been good.

“Those two are real close. When they come on and combine together, it's definitely a big positive for us.”

May laid on a try for winger Junior Pauga just before halftime against the Sharks, with a long overhead pass, to give the Roosters a 24-18 lead and Collins said he was skilful for a big man.

“Terrell's been awesome. He's got a really high I footy for a front rower," Roosters and Maroons prop Lindsay Collins said.

"I think it's sort of where you're seeing our game evolve, front-rowers are becoming way more smarter and more aware of the game as well.

“He's a big body, he's hard running and he's got that offload, as well, in him. To play second phase footy when you've got blokes like Teddy around you as well is always dangerous."