James Tedesco has been a fixture of Australian rugby league since his NRL debut in 2013, but his story reaches far beyond the field. Between captaining the Sydney Roosters and representing New South Wales in 19 State of Origin games, he’s also carried a family heritage that links him to Italy. Here’s what we know about the man behind the jersey.
Position: Fullback ·
Club: Sydney Roosters ·
Born: January 8, 1993 (age 32) ·
Origin Team: New South Wales Blues ·
State of Origin Appearances: 19 (as of 2024) ·
Estimated NRL Salary: $1.2 million per year
Quick snapshot
- Exact contract length and salary are not officially confirmed (TheSportsDB)
- Future club moves remain speculative (TheSportsDB)
- Marriage status and children not publicly verified (TheSportsDB)
- Debut 2013 (Wests Tigers) → ACL recovery 2014 → First Origin 2015 → Roosters captain 2020 (Wikipedia)
- Contract with Roosters until 2025; potential Origin recall after 2024 axing (Wikipedia)
Ten key stats define Tedesco’s career — one pattern emerges: elite consistency at the highest level.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | James Tedesco |
| Date of Birth | January 8, 1993 |
| Place of Birth | Camden, New South Wales, Australia |
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) |
| Weight | 90 kg (198 lb) |
| Position | Fullback |
| Current Club | Sydney Roosters |
| NRL Debut | 2013 for Wests Tigers |
| State of Origin Appearances | 19 (as of 2024) |
| National Team | Australia (also eligible for Italy) |
What ethnicity is James Tedesco?
James Tedesco is of Italian descent. His father has Italian family roots, which is why he initially played for Italy internationally from 2013 to 2017 (Wikipedia). TheSportsDB also confirms his Italian heritage (TheSportsDB).
Is James Tedesco Italian?
Yes, by ancestry. Tedesco’s father is Italian, making him eligible for the Italian national team. He represented Italy before switching allegiance to Australia in 2018 (Wikipedia). Kiddle notes his father’s Italian family background (Kiddle).
Tedesco’s dual heritage gives him a unique international pathway — few elite fullbacks can claim both a World Cup title with Australia and a Test cap for Italy.
Bottom line: James Tedesco is ethnically Italian through his father, but he represents Australia at the highest level after switching codes.
Does James Tedesco have a partner?
According to media reports, Tedesco is in a relationship with Maria Glinellis. The couple maintains a low profile, and no official confirmation has been issued by Tedesco or his club (Wide World of Sports (YouTube)).
Who is James Tedesco’s partner?
Maria Glinellis is believed to be his long-term partner. She is not a public figure, and details about her life are scarce. The relationship has been reported by several Australian outlets, though not officially confirmed.
Bottom line: Tedesco is reportedly with Maria Glinellis, but the couple keeps personal matters private.
How much is James Tedesco paid?
Reports estimate Tedesco earns around $1.2 million per year, placing him in the top 15 highest-paid NRL players (Wikipedia). The exact figures are not officially published by the Roosters or the NRL. TheSportsDB lists his salary as “estimated” (TheSportsDB).
What is James Tedesco’s salary?
While not officially disclosed, salary estimates from sports betting analysts and media reports suggest $1.2 million annually. His contract with the Sydney Roosters is believed to run through 2025 (Wikipedia).
Salary figures are estimates from third-party sources, not confirmed by the NRL or the player’s management. Fans should treat them as indicative.
The implication: third-party estimates should be treated with caution.
How many State of Origin games has James Tedesco won?
Tedesco has played 19 State of Origin games for New South Wales (as of 2024) and was part of four series wins: 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2024 (Wikipedia). He captained the Blues from 2020 to 2023 (Kiddle).
How many Origin series has Tedesco won?
He has won four State of Origin series as a player (2018, 2019, 2021, 2024). He also captained the 2021 series victory (Wikipedia).
Bottom line: Tedesco’s Origin record: 19 games, 4 series wins, and leadership for three seasons.
Why is Tedesco German in Italian?
The surname “Tedesco” means “German” in Italian. It is a common Italian surname that originally indicated someone of German ancestry (Wikipedia).
What is the origin of the Tedesco surname?
In Italian, “tedesco” translates directly to “German.” The surname is believed to have been used for families who migrated from German-speaking regions into Italy centuries ago. James Tedesco’s ancestors likely carried that signifier.
A surname that means “German” on a player famous for representing Italian heritage — but that’s exactly how many Italian surnames work.
The pattern: names often reveal migration histories that contradict modern identity.
Timeline of key career events
- 1993 – James Tedesco born in Camden, NSW (Wikipedia)
- 2013 – NRL debut with Wests Tigers (Wikipedia)
- 2014 – Suffered ACL injury, returned to form (Wikipedia)
- 2015 – First State of Origin selection (Wikipedia)
- 2018 – Won first Origin series; moved to Roosters and won NRL premiership (Wikipedia)
- 2020 – Appointed captain of Sydney Roosters (Wikipedia)
- 2021 – Captained NSW to Origin series win (Wikipedia)
- 2022 – Captained Australia to World Cup title (Wikipedia)
- 2024 – Part of NSW Origin series win; omitted from later games (Fox NRL (Facebook))
Timeline signal: From ACL survivor to Origin captain in six years — Tedesco’s trajectory shows remarkable resilience.
Clarity check: What’s confirmed and what’s not
Confirmed facts
- Italian descent, father Italian (Wikipedia)
- Plays fullback for Sydney Roosters and NSW (Kiddle)
- 19 Origin appearances, 4 series wins (Wikipedia)
- NRL premierships 2018, 2019 (Wikipedia)
- Surname means “German” in Italian (Wikipedia)
- Born 8 Jan 1993 in Camden, NSW (Wikipedia)
- Height 1.80m, weight 90kg (Wikipedia)
- Debut 2013 for Wests Tigers (Wikipedia)
- Roosters captain from 2020 (Wikipedia)
- Represented Italy 2013–2017 (Wikipedia)
- Switched to Australia in 2018 (Wikipedia)
- World Cup winner 2022 (Wikipedia)
What’s unclear
- Exact contract length not officially published (TheSportsDB)
- Exact salary not officially confirmed
- Future club moves after 2025 are speculative
- Marriage status not publicly verified
- Children not publicly verified
- Exact nature of relationship with Maria Glinellis not confirmed
- Reason for Origin axing in 2024 not officially stated (Fox NRL (Facebook))
- Height may vary by source
- Weight may vary by source
- Place of birth sometimes listed as Ryde (Wikipedia says Camden)
- Exact date of Origin series win counts sometimes disputed
- Future coaching or post-playing career plans unknown
The pattern: the public record is strong on on-field achievements but sparse on personal and financial details.
Quotes: Voices on Tedesco
“I am still capable of starring at Origin level and would love to wear the blue jumper again.”
— James Tedesco, via Wide World of Sports (YouTube)
“Nathan Cleary and James Tedesco are game match winners who can create a win out of nothing.”
— State of Origin official Facebook page (Facebook)
“Tedesco may be one of the best players in the NRL right now — his Origin axing could be the beginning of the end of an iconic career.”
— Fox NRL (Facebook) (Facebook)
For New South Wales selectors, the decision on Tedesco’s future in the Origin jersey will come down to one question: can his experience outweigh the emerging talent, or is it time to rebuild? For Tedesco, the answer lies in performances that have already cemented his legacy.
Rugby league fans can also look ahead to the upcoming Womens State of Origin 2026 series, which continues the fierce rivalry between New South Wales and Queensland.
Frequently asked questions
What is James Tedesco’s jersey number?
He wears the number 1 jersey for the Sydney Roosters and has worn 1 for New South Wales and Australia.
Does James Tedesco play for Australia?
Yes, he has represented Australia since 2018 and captained the team to the 2022 Rugby League World Cup title.
What is James Tedesco’s nickname?
He is often called “Teddy” by teammates and fans.
How many NRL grand finals has James Tedesco won?
He has won two NRL grand finals with the Sydney Roosters (2018, 2019).
What injuries has James Tedesco had?
He suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in 2014 and has dealt with various minor injuries throughout his career.
How did James Tedesco start playing rugby league?
He played junior football for the Camden Rams and was raised on a 100-hectare property in Menangle.
What awards has James Tedesco won?
He won the NRL’s Dally M Fullback of the Year in 2017 and 2020, and was named in the NRL Team of the Year multiple times.
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Noah Fraser is Senior Reporter at Australia Voice, covering breaking stories and explainers.