NRL 2020 signing news: Brisbane Broncos show strong interest in Ben Te’o

Broncos coach Anthony Seibold has confirmed his interest in signing former Queensland Origin star Ben Te’o - and a shock roster change could see the cross-code star back in Brisbane this year.

Rugby League - Canterbury Bulldogs vs Brisbane Broncos @ ANZ Stadium . Frank Pritchard tackled by Ben Te'o Pic Gregg Porteous

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Broncos coach Anthony Seibold has confirmed his interest in signing former Queensland Origin star Ben Te’o as Brisbane contemplates bringing the rugby convert back to the NRL.

Te’o could return to the NRL this season as doubt hovers over the future of Super Rugby amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Te’o is contracted to Japan’s Sunwolves, but is currently in Brisbane with the Super Rugby season on hold.

Speculation has surfaced the 2014 South Sydney premiership winner could seek a return to the NRL, and the Broncos are in the mix to secure his signature.

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Ben Te’o could return to Red Hill in 2020. Picture: Adam Head

Te’o, 33, played 75 NRL games for the Broncos from 2009-12 before moving to South Sydney for two years, then converting to rugby.

Te’o made six Origin appearances for the Maroons from 2012-14 and at his best was a classy edge back-rower with brutal defence and clever line-running.

“Ben Te’o is an elite player,” Seibold told The Courier-Mail.

“I’m sure most NRL clubs would have some interest in Ben.

“He’s done everything in both codes. He’s played for England, the British Lions, Queensland Origin team and won an NRL premiership.

Te'o runs over Ben Barba. Picture: Gregg Porteous

“We haven’t had any conversations with Ben as such. I know he’s living in Brisbane, so we’ll see what happens with the competition structure and when we start again.

“At this stage we don’t have a spot available.

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

The Broncos had filled their 30-man roster, but an opening appeared when the club quietly parted ways with former Queensland Reds rising star Izaia Perese last month.

Perese was released by the Broncos after being charged with illicit drugs offences.

The Broncos were planning to upgrade impressive young fullback Tesi Niu from a development player contract to their top 30 roster, but all contracts have been put on hold by the NRL.

The Broncos’ forward depth was tested in the early rounds of the NRL season with Matt Lodge (knee), Alex Glenn (hamstring) and Joe Ofahengaue (suspended) unavailable.

Edge forward Tevita Pangai Jr has to serve a four-week suspension when the NRL resumes, and a player of Te’o’s pedigree could fill that void if he joins the Broncos.

While he didn’t rule out making a play for Te’o, Seibold said he was confident in his forward stocks.

“We’re pretty well covered for our forwards,” he said.

“We’ve got Joe Ofahengaue back and Matt Lodge will be available in six weeks’ time.

“We’ve progressed really well with our group.

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“All contracts are not really on the agenda at the moment. All contracts are on hold.

“Until we know what the competition structure looks like for this year and what the salary cap and roster for next year is like (we can’t do much).

“He is an elite player, there’s no doubt about that, but we haven’t had any discussions around Ben at the moment.

“Tesi Niu was a player that we looked at moving from a development list player to the top 30 before all of this blew up.

“All that has been stalled because there’s no contracts being registered at the moment.”