Kangaroos' Bondi connection sweating on Keary fitness for Tonga Test

Australia's 'Bondi Mafia' know each other's games so well they even found themselves reverting to club calls during last Saturday's Test.

The Sydney Roosters quartet of Boyd Cordner, Luke Keary, James Tedesco and Latrell Mitchell proved an absolute handful for the Kiwis down the left edge and made three easy breaks before Keary came from the field after a head knock.

The Roos are sweating on Keary overcoming a concussion in time for Saturday's historic Tongan showdown while his clubmates are sweating on the chance to resume their lethal combination with him.

Bondi boys: The Kangaroos' Roosters connection - Luke Keary, Boyd Cordner, Latrell Mitchell and James Tedesco.

Bondi boys: The Kangaroos’ Roosters connection – Luke Keary, Boyd Cordner, Latrell Mitchell and James Tedesco.Credit:NRL Photos

"Because we've played together all year we know each other's games inside out and know what works for us,'' star No. 1 James Tedesco said. "When 'Kez' was on the field the other night that edge was combining well.

"We even had the club calls going because we knew what was happening there. Val [Holmes] could just finish it off on the wing.

"Sometimes those calls just came naturally. We have our different calls for [Australia], but there are things with Latrell and I where he'll know what I'll do and he'll do his thing on the outside of me.

"It could be a little nod here and there or communicating with 'Kez'. We've done that all year and had good results.''

Keary lasted 12 minutes in his Kangaroos debut and followed concussion protocol all week. The Clive Churchill medallist struggled with a serious concussion at the start of the year after a training mishap.

Concussion query: The Kangaroos are yet to declare Luke Keary a definite starter for Saturday's Test.

Concussion query: The Kangaroos are yet to declare Luke Keary a definite starter for Saturday’s Test.Credit:NRL Photos

He completed all of Wednesday's session after sitting out the final stages of Tuesday's field session, but Kangaroos officials are yet to declare he will definitely line up at a packed-out Mt Smart Stadium.

Ben Hunt did a solid job replacing Keary, but the combination with the Roosters players was naturally going to be clunkier.

Cordner, Tedesco and Mitchell also had the benefit of combining together on the same edge for NSW during the Origin series.

The Bondi boys will strip fitter considering the Kiwis clash came a week after their long premiership celebrations.

"I actually felt pretty good and my fitness levels are all right and I'm pretty comfortable,'' Tedesco said. "We defended for a long time the other night. Boyd got our players' player [award] and he was also coming off a big week. He had a good captain's knock and you know what you'll get from him each week.''

Mitchell, another debutant, was brilliant in the opening 10 minutes and at various stages in the match with his attack, but conceded he was outplayed by fellow debutant and Roosters teammate Joey Manu.

Tedesco played his first game in the Kangaroos No.1 jersey and knows he must continue to perform if he is to retain the coveted job.

Holmes has made his fullback aspirations known, as has Tom Trbojevic, while Kalyn Ponga will be the name on everybody's lips if he can start the season free of injury at Newcastle.

"Every year there are good fullbacks who have good years,'' Tedesco said. "There are that many good fullbacks who will be wanting the Australian spot. All I can do is try to ave another good year for the Roosters and hopefully retain this spot.''

Daniel Tupou, another Roosters' premiership back, will play for Tonga but line up on the opposite side of the field and be spared trying to stop his teammates down the left.

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