Tedesco wants to stay but no pressure on Suaalii

James Tedesco is relishing the prospect of he, Joey Manu and Joesph Suaalii linking up in the Sydney Roosters attack, but he won't pressure the latter to stay.

JAMES TEDESCO.
JAMES TEDESCO. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

James Tedesco has made clear his desire to stay at the Sydney Roosters long-term, adamant he and the in-demand Joseph Suaalii can make for a scary prospect together.

Tedesco and Suaalii remain on contract until the end of next year but under NRL rules can be approached by rivals from November 1 if not re-signed beforehand.

Tedesco is aged 30 and does not know how many years he has left in him. But the fullback has no intention of slowing down yet.

The Roosters captain has already had his management speak to the club about trying to sort out an extension.

"Obviously I don't want to leave," Tedesco said.

"At the moment I feel I am still at my peak. I just turned 30. My body is feeling really good.

"I can't really tell in a couple of years how I will be feeling. But I know I always look after my body and my mental too, and that's a big part about playing longer.

"Even now I am getting a bit older, I am just tweaking everything a bit more. My recovery, sleep, diet. Because I want to keep playing for as long as I can."

Tedesco also laughed off any suggestion he could return to Wests Tigers, having had no real contact with former teammate and coach-in-waiting Benji Marshall.

Suaalii's decision is likely to be less straight forward.

The 19-year-old is expected to have a handsome financial offer from rugby union to consider, with new Wallabies coach Eddie Jones interested.

Most other NRL clubs would also be interested in tempting him with a No.1 jersey.

"It's hard for him. He is an incredible athlete in high demand," Tedesco said.

"He is only going to keep getting better and better. He's got a good head on his shoulders. I would love for him to stay.

"He could do anything he wants, the world is at his feet."

Tedesco also knows the stresses of a contract saga, having endured two of his own at the Tigers.

It's for that reason the Australian Test captain won't pressure Suaalii into re-signing.

"I talk to him if he ever needs a talk. I offer that up. But I don't think I need to persuade him or try and convince him to stay," Tedesco said.

"It's totally his call.

"I remember I was going through similar stuff. People were trying to tell me what to do. It gets a bit much.

"I am close to Suaalii. If he ever needs anyone to talk to, I am there for him. But at the end of the day it's his decision."

Tedesco, though, is hopeful the teenage prodigy can stay and form a lethal combination with he and fellow fullback-playing-centre Joey Manu.

Suaalii's move from wing to centre should eventually give him the ability to roam in attack, in the same way Manu has for the club in recent years.

"It is a pretty scary thought," Tedesco said.

"Once he nails that he will feel comfortable roaming and get his hands on the ball more.

"Joey (Manu) has mastered that now, getting comfortable coming in, doing some work and going back out. I'm sure it will take Suaalii a bit more time.

"But getting all three of us around the ruck, it's pretty dangerous."