Blues fullback James Tedesco has been picking Mitchell Moses' thoughts on just what to expect from new NSW coach Brad Fittler after he was tasked with ending more than a decade of Queensland dominance.
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Tedesco's housemate Moses thrived under Fittler's coaching of Lebanon at this year's rugby league World Cup, with the Middle Eastern nation a whisker away from beating Tonga in a quarter-final earlier this month.
Fittler gave the Parramatta half the freedom to play his natural game and his stunning form helped underpin Lebanon's charge to the finals.
That preceded the NSWRL unveiling Fittler as their man to replace Laurie Daley in the Origin hot seat, and Tedesco said the former Penrith and Roosters playmaker was capable of unlocking the Blues' best.
"Mitch had really good things to say about him after their World Cup campaign, they had a bit of success, he just said how laidback he was and his energy was good for them and could be good for us as well," Tedesco said.
"It's the confidence he has in his players to play their own games, that's why they have such good results. Players have that confidence under his coaching where they're allowed to play what's in front and play their natural game.
"He let Mitch do his own thing and play his own game. It was always a problem for Mitch where coaches tried to restrict him and that's when he doesn't play his best but when Mitch had an idea on how to play, he said Freddy was always up to it.
"That's a key in those teams, especially our team as well for Origin, there's a lot of superstar players and we've got to play to our strengths, and giving them that free rein helps.
"There's a lot of talent, it's a young squad. If we play to our strengths and players aren't restricted then that's when we can play our best footy."
Tedesco, who helped unveil the new Blues strip alongside Fittler at the Star on Wednesday night, is on the verge of his most important season as a player, having switched from the Wests Tigers to the premiership-favourite Sydney Roosters.
He will report at pre-season training on December 11, and will link up with new teammate Cooper Cronk in the new year once the star halfback has recovered from World Cup duty.
"I'm pretty close to Pearcey after the Origin series this year, I've been messaging him a bit and I'm feeling for him, but I know it's a new challenge for him and he's excited to challenge himself," Tedesco said.
"I know a lot of teams that could definitely use his services. He took the Roosters to a premiership a few years ago and I don't see why he couldn't do that at another club.
"It's a bit different for me and what I'm used to [to enter a season as premiership favourites]. I'll just be happy to play a final which I haven't done yet in my career.
"With our squad it's pretty strong and some pretty quality players. For all of us, for me, we want to get a good start to the year and see what happens."
