If we're after Ben Te'o, we'll be competing with the Rabbitohs & Wayne Bennett ...
TE’O THE RABBITOH?
Ben Te’o will be interviewed by the Rabbitohs next week as Wayne Bennett ramps-up his pursuit of the former Broncos assistant.
Te’o has been linked with South Sydney and Bennett will kick-off talks with the Queensland Origin assistant in the strongest sign yet he will join forces with the super coach in 2027.
The 39-year-old has been a man in demand since his bombshell decision to quit the Broncos in March following a verbal altercation with Brisbane coach Michael Maguire.
Te’o was snapped by Maroons mentor Billy Slater for this year’s Origin series and he was interviewed by a Sydney-based rival to the Rabbitohs last week.
The dual international has also been sounded out by Australia mentor Kevin Walters, who is keen to have Te’o on deck as his defence coach for the end-of-year World Cup tournament.
Te’o, currently living in Brisbane, declined to comment specifically about the Rabbitohs but says he is open to relocating his young family if he snares a job in Sydney.
“As a young coach, you have to take opportunities when they come up,” he said.
“There’s only so many clubs in Queensland and the tough part of coaching is you have to be willing to move your family.
“I had a great Origin campaign with Queensland. I am watching a lot of games for Triple M (as a commentator) and the game is evolving all the time.
“I’m watching closely and would love to get back into the NRL.”
Bennett helped launch Te’o’s coaching career at Redcliffe and is open to having him at Souths, where Te’o won a premiership as a back-rower in 2014.
Te’o is keen to return to Camp Maroon next season, but it could depend on whether Slater coaches on with Queensland.
“I’m not sure on where I stand with Queensland,” he said.
“I signed for this year only and I really enjoyed my year there but I only signed for one year, so whether I go on next year is up in the air.
“I really enjoyed the position and would be open to doing it next year.”