Ben Te’o faces several hurdles to reignite Broncos NRL career

Broncos coach Anthony Seibold has confirmed his interest in signing Ben Te’o but the former Maroons star must clear several hurdles to return to the NRL.

Ben Te'o must clear several hurdles to return to the NRL. Picture: Adam Head

• ‘Project Artie’ on track to deliver Origin to Queensland

• False dawn: The Broncos dynasty that never came

If Ben Te’o wants to play for the Broncos, he would have to return for love, not money.

Te’o’s hopes of a Red Hill return are looking increasingly slim with the former Queensland Origin hitman facing a $400,000-plus sacrifice by quitting Japanese rugby and reuniting with the Broncos.

As revealed by The Courier-Mail , Broncos coach Anthony Seibold as confirmed his interest in Te’o, who remains highly respected at Red Hill following his 75-game stint for Queensland’s glamour club from 2009-12.

But Te’o’s Broncos resurrection seems unlikely given the number of hurdles the 33-year-old must clear to return to the NRL.

The most significant obstacle is his current employer, Japanese rugby outfit the Sunwolves. They have Te’o on contract until the end of May and will follow the lead of Japanese club Kintetsu, who have ruled out granting former Wallabies star Quade Cooper an early release for a proposed NRL cameo this year.

Relive classic NRL matches from the 60s to today on KAYO SPORTS. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

Ben Te'o is contracted to the Sunwolves. Picture: Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images

With the Super Rugby competition on hold, Te’o is currently back in Brisbane and still has ties with the Broncos, visiting the club’s Red Hill headquarters during pre-season.

The Broncos have one spot available on their 30-man full-time roster following the departure of Izaia Perese but the NRL will not register any further contracts amid the coronavirus pandemic.

While interested in Te’o, Seibold stressed the Broncos have not had any talks. And even if Brisbane could table a deal, the value of a short-term contract would hardly be palatable to the premiership-winning forward, who is on around $500,000 at the Sunwolves.

“Ben is still signed to the Sunwolves until the end of May and depending on what happens with Super Rugby, it could be longer,” Seibold said.

Ben Te'o must clear several hurdles to return to the NRL. Picture: Adam Head

Meanwhile, three Super League clubs have joined the queue for the services of former English Test centre Kallum Watkins, who severed ties with the Titans on Saturday.

Watkins quit the Gold Coast to be closer to his father, who has contracted coronavirus, and has attracted interest from Wigan, Warrington and the Toronto Wolfpack.

The 29-year-old has fielded three-year offers, with Toronto considered the frontrunners, and will finalise his future this week.