Broncos coach Kevin Walters has made his first move to bolster his depleted coaching unit by poaching former Queensland Origin hit man Ben Te’o from the Dolphins.
Te’o will move cross-town and join Walters’ coaching staff next year as an assistant following the departure of John Cartwright (Hull FC) and Lee Briers (St Helens) to the Super League.
Walters is also understood to be considering Parramatta interim coach Trent Barrett for another assistant’s role from next season.
Barrett is a free agent and will not remain at the Eels under incoming coach Jason Ryles.
The loss of Te’o is a blow for the Dolphins given the former dual-code star is regarded as one of the NRL’s emerging coaching talents.
Te’o, 37, played 173 NRL games for the Tigers, Rabbitohs and Broncos during a successful league career which also saw him feature in seven Origin matches for the Maroons.
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This could also be Barrett's last game at the Eels, I'm hearing he may resign.
If he was smart he would have resigned a few weeks ago when it was apparent these guys weren't going to put in and now with all the injuries any win at all seems unlikely, this is only doing more harm to his reputation and chances of getting another shot.
It's certainly one way of looking at it. But I'd imagine he'd have built at least some strong connections with the players and would stay on that basis. I get the feeling he'd know any chance he has of getting another shot for a head coach spot is over anyway.
And who would take over? Antonelli or Murphy? I don't think he would do that with only a few games left. He gains nothing from either decision.
Good luck to him. Seems like a decent bloke, not sure how much it helps Walters since if Brisbane miss the 8 this year he will be the most under pressure coach starting 2025. Barrett might get interim role again. Plus he would love the button up shirts the Brisbane coaches wear.
Cartwright and Briers heading to SL, so cleanout of assistants at Brisbane with Ballin last man standing. Ben Te'o also heading there.
Baz coaching has been good just doesn't have the cattle to pull it off. Really feel for him. If he can get another gig starting straight away he should leave. He owes the club nothing. Love to see murph in the pressers 🤣