James Tedesco stakes claim for Origin after Wests Tigers beat Penrith Panthers

James Tedesco has moved into pole position to wear the coveted NSW No.1 jersey in game 3 of State of Origin after inflicting a miserable defeat upon the incumbent, Matt Moylan. 

On the evening of a federal election on a knife's edge was another tight contest between the two candidates for the NSW fullback spot before Tedesco showed just why he's emerged as the fans' favourite, living up to the public hype. Another impressive performance was highlighted by two try assists and a leader's defensive performance that helped the Tigers to a comfortable 34-26 win over the Panthers, whose normally breathtaking attack appeared somewhat toothless. 

"I think it speaks for itself, It doesn't need me pushing his barrel anymore. He's a class act and he deserves to be in the NSW team in my opinion," Tigers coach Jason Taylore said of Tedesco. 

Star turn: James Tedesco spins out of a tackle in a compelling performance against the Panthers Photo: AAP

It was a night to forget for Moylan, whose attacking game never threatened to tilt the contest in his favour and his defensive play simply aided the Tigers. A horrendous pass leading to an intercept try for Wests was the moment that put his Origin place in jeopardy, carelessly passing into the awaiting arms of Tim Simona amid little pressure. 

It was endemic of an error-ridden game for the top-eight hopefuls whose problematic defense only seemed to worsen against the unpredictable joint-venture side. 

Injury was added to insult for the Panthers when forward Sam McKendry suffered a sickening knee injury after just 10 minutes, his leg buckling inwards during a low tackle. The hard man required the medicab's assistance from the field, causing agony too for coach Anthony Griffin, something sweetened by a moment of brilliance by Josh Mansour shortly after. The Origin winger jumped over his marker and despite colliding with the corner post, was awarded a try by the video referee as he remained still in the air, acrobatically planting the ball down before falling out.

Sickening injury: Sam McKendry of the Panthers is assisted from the field. Photo: Getty Images

The Tigers were still reeling from that decision when the Panthers struck another blow to their morale with a controversial four-pointer, with James Fisher-Harris scoring from a scramble that had the Tigers calling for a foul during a contest of a high-ball. 

It looked like another disappointing night for the joint-venture side before the man in the spotlight came up with a big play. A line break by Tedesco not only applied more pressure on Moylan's Origin spot but also on the Panthers' lead, setting up Tim Simon to cross over for the Tigers' first try of the evening.

Against the run of play, they found a second. Beginning with an intercept 10 metres from their own line, the set was finished with a try for Ava Seumanagai, who capitalised on a great play involving Luke Brooks and Chris Lawrence to score his first try of the season. 

Heavy lifting: The Panthers wrap up Ava Seumanufagai of the Tigers. Photo: Getty Images

The door seemed to have shut on Moylan's selection hopes for Origin III when he came up with the assist for the Tigers' next try. A careless pass was intercepted by Simona, who raced half the field to put the Tigers into the lead for the first time in the match. Wests went into the break with an eight-point lead when Mitch Moses set up up David Nofoaluma for a thrilling try with the final play of the half.

The battle between fullbacks was won when Tedesco set up the Tigers fifth just two minutes after the restart, slicing through the Panthers line to play Jordan Rankin through and leaving Moylan helpless but to watch the unlikely onslaught taking a costly toll on his Origin jersey. 

The final nail in the coffin was a 60-metre play by the Tigers to seal the result as Sauaso Sue and Robbie Farah pounced on some porous defending to make it 34-14, again leaving Moylan stranded, helpless and furious with those around him. Not even late tries to Trent Merrin and Isaah Yeo could make up for a loss that, on a personal note, could not prove more costly for the young fullback. 

Scything run: James Tedesco makes a clean break. Photo: Getty Images

"I wasn't worried about the battle [with Tedesco], I was worried about playing the game," Moylan said.