James Tedesco claims it would be unfair to lay the blame for the Sydney Roosters’ last-gasp finals loss to Penrith at the feet of veteran halfback Daly Cherry-Evans.
As the Roosters resisted the urge to rush Sam Walker back for Saturday’s sudden-death semi-final with Cronulla, Tedesco revealed how Cherry-Evans had shouldered the blame for last Sunday’s 19-12 defeat to the Panthers.
Cherry-Evans gave away a seven-tackle set in the final 10 minutes with Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary converting a field goal soon afterwards.
The 37-year-old Cherry-Evans then sprayed his own attempt wide when his side needed him to stay calm under pressure, which sent the Roosters into a sudden-death final against the Sharks.
“Straight away he accepted it, and as a team, you don't dump that all on him,” Tedesco said.
“He's done that numerous times earlier in the year and nailed it in getting us where we needed to.
“But with Chez, with his experience and how comfortable he is in those situations, we have full confidence in whatever he decides to do.
“We know he's kicked a lot, but he's missed a few as well.
“I think with Chez’s experience and his age, you can't hold on to those things. I think that's important for all of us.”
Walker, meanwhile, has been left on ice for a further week after coach Trent Robinson had hinted the Queensland No. 7 was an outside chance of returning against Cronulla.
The 24-year-old Walker underwent ankle surgery after suffering a syndesmosis in a loss to the Dolphins last month.
“It's only been a couple of weeks, so he's probably got another week or so I'm guessing,” Tedesco said.
“But he started to do some running, which is really quick after surgery, so we’ll just see how he goes in progressing to give himself a chance.”
Walker’s absence means the Roosters will again be without one of their most dynamic threats when they face the Sharks with Robinson forced to rely on the relatively untested partnership of Cherry-Evans and Hugo Savala.
With the first-choice halves pairing of Walker and Cherry-Evans, the Roosters have scored at a tick over 26 points per game this season.
But with Savala and Cherry-Evans as a playmaking duo, Robinson’s sides are scoring an average of just 16 points per game across three fixtures.
“He (Savala) has done his job and that's all we can ask, and that's why we love playing with him,” Tedesco said.
“He'll do whatever it takes for the team, we love him as a person, as a player, and he's only going to keep getting better.
“I thought he was awesome. He'll be disappointed with some moments that he didn't nail, but overall, he’s excited to get on the job this Saturday and play his part.”
Back-rower Angus Crichton, who was a late scratching against Penrith, was not named in jersey No.17 by Robinson on Tuesday.
