NRL 2024: Brisbane Broncos coach Kevin Walters reveal teenage rookie Ben Te Kura will make debut

Broncos coach Kevin Walters will unleash arguably the biggest player in the NRL this year, while Brisbane’s No. 1 recruit has suffered an injury setback.

Benjamin Te Kura pictured at the Brisbane Broncos pre season training at Red Hill, Brisbane 8th January 2024. (Image/Josh Woning)

Kevin Walters will hand an NRL debut to one of the biggest players in Brisbane’s 36-year history this season while the Broncos’ No. 1 recruit races to prove his fitness for the start of the premiership.

Giant young gun Ben Te Kura has been earmarked to make his first grade debut in 2024 on the back of a promising pre-season in Brisbane’s top squad.

At just 19, ‘Big Ben’ is listed at a staggering 205cm and 122kg, dwarfing the entire Broncos squad, including mammoth prop Payne Haas (194cm, 117kg).

As these photos show, ‘Two Metre’ Te Kura is a foot taller and more than 40kg heavier than Broncos captain Adam Reynolds (173cm, 80kg).

He may even be the biggest player in the NRL – rivalling Melbourne monster Nelson Asofa-Solomona.

The 200cm Asofa-Solomona weighed in at 135kg last season, but dropped weight in the lead-up to his off-season boxing bout against the Dolphins’ Jarrod Wallace.

Ben Te Kura towers over Broncos captain Adam Reynolds. Picture: Josh Woning

A Queensland under-19s Origin representative, Te Kura is an outside chance of starting the season in Brisbane’s NRL team, but he will likely make his debut at some stage during the year.

Walters is on the hunt for props following the departure of Tom Flegler (Dolphins) and Keenan Palasia (Titans), while Roosters recruit Fletcher Baker has been sidelined after undergoing groin surgery recently.

Baker started the pre-season strongly but has been on restricted duties in recent weeks and is pushing to make an appearance in the trials before Brisbane’s Las Vegas showdown with his former club.

Walters said Te Kura was a promising prospect who was on the cusp of the NRL after finishing last year with Souths-Logan in the Hostplus Cup.

Fletcher Baker has undergone groin surgery. Picture: Liam Kidston

Fletcher Baker was tipped to start for the Broncos. Picture: Liam Kidston

“Most people are tall for me, but he’s exceptional,” he said.

“He’s another good young talent of ours.

“He’s come back in pretty good shape and he’s still growing into his body.

“Some of the skills he’s shown … I particularly liked the way he played last year in the New Zealand A game. I thought he was very good there.

“There’s big expectations for him to just come through in his development pathway. We expect him to be playing some NRL at some stage this season.

“We expect Ben to come through this year and play some NRL. He will start in the Queensland Cup and work his way through.”

The exits of Flegler, Palasia and Kurt Capewell (Warriors) has opened up spots in Brisbane’s forward pack.

Te Kura has been training strongly. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Back rower Jordan Riki is also on the comeback from shoulder surgery and targeting a round 1 return while Brendan Piakura has slotted into Capewell’s spot on the left edge.

Prop Corey Jensen has spent plenty of time in the top team during training this week while Xavier Willison and Marty Taupau are pushing their cases alongside Te Kura in Baker’s absence.

“We’re looking at everyone in the squad,” Walters said.

“We had three guys sit out last year’s grand final in Xavier, Corey Jensen and Marty Taupau.

“They’re going to put themselves in the frame in the next six weeks and into round one. There’s plenty of competition for spots.

“We encourage our younger players to come through and work hard and learn from guys like Patty (Carrigan) and Payne.”

Meanwhile, winger Jesse Arthars sprained his left ankle at training this week and will be on a restricted program.

Arthars is aiming to be available for Brisbane’s trial campaign and feature in the Vegas season-opener following his strong performance in last year’s grand final.

“Jesse has sprained his ankle yesterday at training,” Broncos head of performance Dave Ballard said.

“We will aim to have him back in action for the trial against the Cowboys in Mackay. He’s in the best of hands with our rehabilitation staff.”