Imagine the pressure: being hand-picked to fill the shoes of a legend. That's the situation facing one young gun at the Sydney Roosters, with none other than James Tedesco himself anointing him as his long-term successor!
The Roosters are already strategically looking ahead, even though their star captain, James Tedesco, is still performing at an elite level. Tedesco, a 23-time NSW Blues representative and 13-time Kangaroo, isn't showing signs of slowing down – in fact, he just had another stellar season in 2025, earning his second Dally M Medal! But the reality is, every player eventually hangs up their boots, and the Roosters want to be prepared. They're not just looking for any replacement; they're searching for someone who can carry the torch and maintain the club's high standards.
And who have they identified? Rex Bassingthwaighte. The Roosters have officially earmarked Bassingthwaighte as the future fullback, a decision that speaks volumes about his potential. He's currently locked in with the club until the end of 2028, and he's scheduled to join the Top 30 roster in 2027. But here's where it gets controversial... Putting so much faith in a young player so early in his career is a bold move. Is it too much pressure? Or a brilliant strategy to nurture talent from the ground up?
Bassingthwaighte isn't just some random name pulled out of a hat. This SHORE School graduate is highly regarded by club officials as one of the most promising young talents, not just in rugby league, but also in rugby union. That's right, he excels in both codes! His achievements over the past two years are impressive. Despite missing a significant portion of this year due to a shoulder injury, he previously won the club's Harold Matthews Cup Player of the Year award, represented the Under-18s Australian Wallabies alongside Heamasi Makasini, and even led his school to their first 1st XV AAGPS premiership since 2006. That's a serious resume for someone so young!
Now, get this: Bassingthwaighte is set to train with the first-grade squad for the second time during the upcoming 2026 pre-season. This isn't just a casual observation; it's a clear indication of how highly the club values him. And who's his biggest supporter? James Tedesco himself. Tedesco has publicly backed Bassingthwaighte as the Tricolours' future fullback, stating he believes the youngster is going to be a "real talent" in the NRL one day.
"He trained with us in the pre-season last year. Love him. We got along really well (and he's) a really exciting young player," Tedesco told Zero Tackle, emphasizing their connection. "(Rex's) fast, agile, got good hands, and I think he's going to be a real talent." And this is the part most people miss... Tedesco isn't just praising Bassingthwaighte's physical abilities; he's highlighting his character and his ability to connect with the team.
Tedesco also acknowledged Bassingthwaighte's recent setback: "He had shoulder surgery this year, which pulled him out for most of the year. He wasn't able to play union for his school, but he'll be doing a pre-season with us next year." But even with the injury, Tedesco remains optimistic. He sees Bassingthwaighte as versatile, suggesting he "can fit in anywhere in the backs to sort of start off his career, but fullback definitely for the future." This flexibility could be key to Bassingthwaighte's development, allowing him to gain valuable experience in different positions before taking on the responsibility of the fullback role.
So, what do you think? Is James Tedesco right? Is Rex Bassingthwaighte the real deal? Could this early endorsement be a blessing or a curse for the young player? And more broadly, is it wise for clubs to publicly anoint successors so early in their careers? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
