Fullback: James Tedesco v Will Hopoate

Tedesco was brilliant through the second half of 2018 for the Roosters and NSW, though, like a few of his teammates he'll be hoping for a better outing in his second match in green and gold. At his best a tackle-busting sensation who is brilliant in defence and more than capable of setting up tries.

His opposite number Hopoate is no stranger to the Tonga jersey and was one of Canterbury's best in a sluggish season, producing a ton of metres as well as busts and offloads. His playmaking has also improved significantly in recent seasons.

Verdict: you'd pick Tedesco over Hopoate but underestimate the Bulldog at your peril.

How will the Kangaroos’ new look spine gel?

Australia are officially in the post-‘Big Three’ era with Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater having either retired from representative football or retired altogether. In their place comes a brand new attacking brains trust in James Tedesco, Luke Keary, Daly Cherry-Evans and Damien Cook. Tedesco and Cook have been absolute standouts in their positions this season and were two of NSW’s best in the State of Origin series.

Luke Keary would count himself lucky to be called up into the side after Cameron Munster’s withdrawal, but he’s by no means undeserving of the honour having finished the season strongly for the Roosters, guiding them to a premiership win with a Clive Churchill Medal performance. Cherry-Evans is no stranger to the Kangaroos side with 11 Tests to his name, but it’s been a while between drinks with his last appearance coming all the way back in 2014. The Manly star, who has been named vice-captain, has a terrific chance to show he can dominate at the highest level after coach Mal Meninga claimed the side was now “his team”.

Tedesco seeks improved attacking game

He's made every post a winner in 2018 yet James Tedesco can look back at his season and quickly identify his shortcomings. It's hard to see where the fullback can improve after a stellar year in which he won the NRL premiership and State of Origin series, culminating in a maiden Kangaroos jersey for Saturday's Test against New Zealand. "Pretty good accomplishments, no complaints", Tedesco said. He admitted he didn't expect success to come so quickly after his high-profile switch to the Roosters from the Wests Tigers.

Yet the 25-year-old won't rest easy in the off-season. Tedesco raised eyebrows when singling out his attacking game as a work in progress. That contrasted with his defence, which he said had improved dramatically under Roosters coach Trent Robinson. "The time and effort I've put into defence has been a big change," Tedesco said. "The defence Robbo wanted to get out me hit 100 per cent of where we wanted to get to. "I think attack probably didn't hit 100 per cent so that's an exciting part going into next year because I've got a bit of improvement left in attack." Tedesco credited the Tri-colours' early-season focus on defence as the key to unlocking a title.

Mitchell ready to rip into Manu in Test

Latrell Mitchell can't guarantee he'll spare good friend Joseph Manu from a verbal onslaught when the Roosters centre pairing go head-to-head in the trans-Tasman Test. One of the highlights of Saturday's clash in Auckland will be the meeting of dynamic Kangaroos firebrand Mitchell and rising Kiwis star Manu, who played key roles in the Roosters' premiership. Both are making their international debut in what will test the bonds of friendship forged through the junior ranks of the Sydney club.

Kangaroos fullback James Tedesco can't wait to see his club mates lock horns, believing two of rugby league's brightest talents bring with them contrasting styles. Quietly-spoken Manu has been a kingpin on defence throughout 2018 while Mitchell's attack was virtually peerless, along with his ability to impose himself mentally on opponents through verbal and extra-physical means. A prime example was his dominance over accomplished Melbourne Storm opposite Will Chambers in the grand final and during the State of Origin series. "I don't think Latrell will be carrying on too much against Joey because Joey's too nice but we'll see how they go," Tedesco said. However, 21-year-old Mitchell wasn't so sure he will contain himself, especially given how much it means to wear green and gold for the first time. "I don't want to say too much. I don't like to talk about how it will be at the weekend," he said. "I'm competitive, he's going to be competitive. Aggression just comes out. People take it as being grubby or what-not but it's just how I play. "I just want to beat my opponent at the other end." Mitchell said texts have been exchanged but he wasn't keen to show too much "respect".There will be few secrets between the pair given they've trained against each other for so long.

James Tedesco named Roosters' best player

Sydney Roosters' fullback James Tedesco has capped a memorable season, winning the Jack Gibson Medal as the outstanding player for the NRL premiers. A high-profile off-season recruit, Tedesco polled the most votes in an award that pays tribute to the Roosters' 1974-95 premiership-winning coach. It's the latest recognition to come Tedesco's way since his switch to the Roosters after spending six years at the Wests Tigers.

The 25-year-old last month collected the Brad Fittler Medal as NSW's best player in the Blues' State of Origin campaign. On the strength of his contribution to the Blues' Origin series win over Queensland and his standout form during the Roosters' surge to a 14th premiership, Tedesco has been anointed as Billy Slater's replacement at fullback for the Kangaroos. He was one of five debutants on Monday named in Mal Meninga's 19-man Australian squad for Test matches against Tonga and New Zealand later this month.