Cody Ramsey Ready to Step Up as Fullback if Needed
Cody Ramsey has already become one of the most inspiring stories of the season, and the versatile outside back is eager to keep James Tedesco’s fullback spot warm if the Roosters skipper is rested after a recent emotional return to the Origin arena.
Tedesco is set to play fullback for the Blues on Wednesday night in his first Origin appearance since the 2024 opener. However, it remains uncertain whether he will travel to Melbourne for Saturday’s crucial match against the Storm. This uncertainty means that Roosters coach Trent Robinson faces some tough decisions, especially with spine members Sam Walker and Reece Robson also scheduled to play on Wednesday night. Additionally, the team is dealing with a backline crisis due to injuries to wingers Daniel Tupou and Mark Nawaqanitawase.
If Tedesco is given a break over the weekend, Ramsey has already expressed his willingness to step into the fullback role. He made his return to the NRL earlier this month following a challenging battle with ulcerative colitis. Since then, he has played on the wing but has no shortage of experience in the fullback position. Ramsey previously played 14 NRL games at fullback for the Dragons and spent an entire season in the No.1 jersey for the Red V in the NSW Cup last year.
“I played all last year’s Cup at fullback, and I trained there throughout the pre-season,” he said. “It’s genuinely my position. I’ve played a lot of wing in the NRL too, so I’m very versatile. But I’m more than comfortable slipping in where I need to be, whatever the coach needs.”
Ramsey hasn’t yet spoken to Robinson about a positional switch this weekend, as the team had a bye in round 12 and started the week with a light session at Bondi Beach on Monday. However, it won’t matter if he sees Tedesco after the Origin opener, as they have worked together extensively over the summer.
“I love his defensive movements in fullback and what he thinks on different parts of the field,” he said. “I’ve learned a lot about my fullback role, that it’s reading the play a lot better, because he’s probably the best at doing it. Those sort of things that he tips me up on are really good.
“(The) running side for me and running at the back of shapes is (where I’m) really good. I’ve improved drastically from when I was fullback in the NRL to now in my passing game. I wouldn’t say that I was known at all for passing when I was playing before, but now I’ve really improved it and I’ve been refining my craft in Cup this past year, last year and this year, especially at fullback in that aspect of the game.”
Roosters veteran Nat Butcher has also backed Ramsey to take on the No.1 jersey if Tedesco is rested.
“He’s definitely ready,” he said. “I know all the boys and we talk about how good he is at training. He did the whole pre-season with us, and it was against us a lot of the times with him being in the reserves team.
“He was a constant headache for us at training. We always had to be on our best to make sure we handled Cody because he’s such a quality player, and he’s someone that you just can’t take lightly.
“If he does get that opportunity to play at fullback, we have full confidence in him and know that he’s going to fill those shoes of Ted.”
If Ramsey makes the switch to fullback, then Billy Smith could earn a recall on the wing. However, both Smith and Tommy Talau are currently listed in the official NRL casualty ward.
