Kangaroos head coach Kevin Walters has expressed his desire to bring former Broncos assistant Ben Te’o onto his coaching staff ahead of the upcoming Rugby League World Cup. Te’o resigned from the Broncos last month following a dispute with head coach Michael Maguire, just months after assisting the team in ending a 19-year premiership drought.
Although Te’o has been speculated as a potential candidate for the coaching staff of Billy Slater’s Maroons, he confirmed to Triple M’s Saturday Scrum that he has not held any formal discussions about coaching during this year’s State of Origin series. As a free agent, Te’o hinted that conversations may arise in the coming months regarding his future.
During a recent appearance on Wide World of Sports’ QLDER, Walters was asked about Te’o’s potential role within the Australian setup. He made it clear that he has his sights set on bringing Te’o on board, describing him as a talented young coach with a calm demeanor in challenging situations. Walters believes that Te’o would be a valuable addition to the team, provided that the opportunity arises.
If Walters successfully recruits Te’o, it could significantly enhance the Kangaroos coaching structure, especially as they prepare for what might be their most challenging World Cup since 2008. Additionally, this move might add an intriguing twist to the ongoing narrative around the Brisbane Broncos, given that Walters originally signed Te’o as an assistant coach before being replaced by Maguire. This could represent a subtle reprisal for Walters against his successor Maguire, with whom Te’o has a long history, having previously won a premiership together at South Sydney in 2014.
Overall, Te’o’s inclusion in Walters’ staff could bolster the Kangaroos’ chances on the international stage, all while stirring the dynamics within the Broncos camp.