It isn’t just his brother’s wedding.
Sydney Roosters captain James Tedesco has revealed there is a second reason for withdrawing from the upcoming Kangaroo Tour to England.
As the 32-year-old seeks to prolong his glittering NRL career, the 2025 Dally M medal favourite is set to undergo stem cell treatment on his troublesome left knee, which has a recovery time of up to two months.
According to NRL Physio Brien Seeney, it will be at least the fourth time Tedesco has had stem cell injections due to ‘degenerative changes in his cartilage and an extensive history of injury in his left knee’ including damage to his ACL, patella and MCL.
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While suggesting the medical evidence is still limited, Seeney said stem cell injections are used in an attempt to reduce inflammation and slow cartilage degeneration by using a patient’s own cells to repair damaged tissue.
‘I want to get that done to be ready for January’
“It hasn’t been easy,” Tedesco explained of his decision to withdraw from the Kangaroo Tour, knowing he was due to be selected in Kevin Walters 23-man squad after conversations with ARLC boss Peter V’Landys.
“But I’ve got my brother’s wedding and I’ve also got to get stem cells in my knee, which is a 6-8 week recovery process, and I want to get that done to be ready for January,” he told NCA NewsWire.
“It’s a better decision and I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulder that I don’t go.”
While the star fullback will miss the Ashes series, Tedesco hasn’t ruled out playing in next year’s Rugby League World Cup if selected.