Ben Te’o returns to Brisbane Broncos with premiership in his sights

Ben Te’o has signed a short-term deal with Brisbane Broncos and has a premiership trophy in his sights.

After six years playing rugby union overseas, Ben Te’o has signed a short-term contract to play in the NRL for Brisbane. Picture: Annette Dew

Ben Te’o is back at the Brisbane Broncos to win a premiership.

“To be honest, I wouldn’t come back and play if I didn’t think so,” Te’o said of Brisbane’s premiership chances.

“When this opportunity came up, that is what excited me. Just to get out there with these guys and play.

“If I get an opportunity in the next few weeks to play, it is a big ask for me but I am willing to rip in and give it all I have got until some of these gun young guys get back.

“It is exciting. I have been following them for the last few years and watching the development of these young guys.

“I am from Keebra Park (High School) and Payne (Haas) and Dave (Fifita) have been through the system. They have been on to me, a few of them, recently.

“Even before this talk I had (Tevita) Pangai and Fifita messaging me. Even though I am an older guy, when some good young superstars are egging you to come back and play, it does make you feel like, ‘yeah, I want to come back’.

“I know this is a five-month contract but I am willing to do everything I can to help the team be successful. That is my job.”

Ben Te’o played 16 times for England, including against the Wallabies at Twickenham in 2018. Picture: Getty Images

Te’o signed a short-term deal with the Broncos on Wednesday night, only a matter of days after his contract with Japanese rugby union side the Sunwolves was brought to a premature end.

Now 33, it has been nearly six years since Te’o last played a match in the NRL. He won a grand final with South Sydney in 2014 and then headed overseas, playing rugby union for Leinster and Worcester before short spell with French giants Toulon last year prior to joining the Sunwolves.

Ben Te’o in action for South Sydney in the 2014 NRL grand final against Canterbury. Picture: Gregg Porteous

Te’o also played 16 Tests for England under Eddie Jones.

When rugby union was brought to a halt by COVID-19, he returned to Brisbane – where he has a house with his partner Connie, who is expecting the couple’s second child in a matter of weeks – to stay in shape.

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Out of that was born an opportunity to return to the Broncos, a club where he spent four years and played 75 games between 2009 and 2012.

“I feel good,” Te’o said.

“There has been so much uncertainty recently with my (rugby union) season coming to an end. I am excited to be back in that environment.

“To be honest, I have missed rugby league at certain times. I understand it is a tough, tough game.

“Obviously I haven’t played for a while in terms of rugby league but I have been playing rugby union. They are similar but yeah they are different.

“I am not too sure how I would feel in that first game.”

That first game could come as early as next week, when the Broncos are scheduled to play Manly on the Central Coast. Brisbane are suffering from a shortage of backrowers, having lost Fifita (knee) and Pangai (suspension).

They are also light on experience in their forward pack, something Te’o can add in spades.

“To be honest when I signed this contract and it became a real deal, I felt more like a 20-year-old signing my first NRL contract,” Te’o said.

“I feel more like I need to get out there and do my job and prove that I can play. That is about it. The leadership stuff comes around day-to-day stuff in the environment and the change rooms.

“I am just coming in to help out. I live down the road. Broncos is my local footy club. So I want to come play some footy.

“I have enjoyed my time in rugby union and I love the game. I miss rugby league as well. There are times when you just want to go have a game.

“What I know is I have been working hard over the past six weeks. That’s all I can do – give myself the opportunity to be fit and ready.

“Let’s be honest – I am here to contribute. I am here to help. I am here to play. This is a great young team.

“I am just a guy who is coming to lend a hand.”