Still time for Tedesco to stake rep claim: Robinson

Coach Trent Robinson has warned not to rule James Tedesco out of international calculations as the Sydney Roosters chase an NRL finals berth against the odds.

Australia is expected to play a tri-series with New Zealand and Samoa at the season's end, though the NRL is yet to confirm details.

Coaching guru-turned-pundit Phil Gould suggested this week Tedesco should lose his spot as Australian fullback and captain if he failed to inspire the 12th-placed Roosters to a finals berth.

Tedesco's uncharacteristically patchy form has been a major throughline for the 2023 Roosters, who themselves have underwhelmed on pre-season expectations.

It led to similar speculation as to Tedesco's representative credentials during the State of Origin series.

He managed to hold off challengers Dylan Edwards and Scott Drinkwater to retain NSW's fullback jersey but Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga would have even more replacement options for the tri-series.

In-form Queenslanders Reece Walsh and Kalyn Ponga are also available and look likely to be crucial for Brisbane and Newcastle's finals campaigns, respectively.

The 12th-placed Roosters are a chance to squeak into the finals as well, but likely need to win their remaining four games and hope other results fall their way.

Robinson believed there was still time for Tedesco to reassert his international credentials.

"He had the same thing with NSW. People are going to have their opinions and that's fine," Robinson said.

"Selections will come up at some point but the race isn't over.

"He's still our Australian captain. He lifted the trophy (at last year's World Cup).

"There's some games to be played to still fight for that jersey. Let's give him that opportunity."

The Roosters' bid to play finals continues on Saturday against the Dolphins, who famously scored an upset defeat of the Tricolours in their inaugural NRL fixture in March.

Luke Keary's 200th NRL game and the fairytale return of prop forward Dylan Napa will be bigger motivations for victory than avenging the round-one loss.

"There's always that memory about righting some wrongs but that's low on the list of reasons to play tomorrow night," Robinson said.

The Roosters handed Napa an NRL lifeline after he was granted a release from his contract with Super League side Catalans.

Nathan Brown's suspension paved the way for the 30-year-old to make the first NRL appearance of his train-and-trial contract and his first for the Roosters since the 2018 grand-final victory.

"It was like handing out a debut, that's what it felt like," Robinson said.

"We left the door open for him this year.

"And I saw a guy who came back with huge heart for the club."

Roosters halfback Sam Walker plays his first game since April on Sunday after recovering from a long-term anterior cruciate ligament sprain.

Robinson reiterated the Roosters' plans to use him on the run to finals.

"The goal there is to get him back in physically good enough shape to come and make a difference," he said.