NRL 2024: Dolphins axe cult hero Valynce Te Whare, top players to watch in Hostplus Cup grand final
Ben Te’o has called on NRL clubs to take a punt on Valynce Te Whare, after the cult hero was axed by the Dolphins. PLUS see all the players to watch in the Qld Cup grand final.
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Former Maroons hit man Ben Te’o has appealed for an NRL club to take a punt on Dolphins discard Valynce Te Whare following a blistering finish to the reserve grade season.
“Val Meninga” has played a key role in helping Redcliffe qualify for Sunday’s Hostplus Cup grand final against Norths Devils at Kayo Stadium.
The Kiwi rugby convert was one of the Dolphins’ first signings after they secured the NRL’s 17th licence and made a stunning two-try first grade debut at Magic Round last year.
But Te Whare went off the rails following his 12-game debut season and battled weight issues this year which meant he was banished from Dolphins pre-season training and didn’t play an NRL game in 2024.
After getting his fitness in order Te Whare has dominated opponents in Redcliffe’s fairytale run to the premiership decider, including a stunning 80m runaway try in last week’s preliminary final upset of the Northern Pride.
The Dolphins have told Te Whare he will not be offered a contract extension and Redcliffe coach Te’o hopes another NRL club gives the freakish talent a second chance.
“Val has had a tough run but some of the things he does, no one else can do,” he said.
“People that size shouldn’t move that fast. He is a special athlete.
“The last two years have been so up and down for him but I think someone should give him a go. He has turned a corner and done everything right. It’s a waste of three years if he leaves.
“Someone has to have a crack at him.”
Te Whare, 24, reported for pre-season training late last year weighing more than 120kg and was sent away by Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett to train with boxing guru Mark “Chopper” Burgess.
He lost 10kg and was welcomed back, but quickly piled on the kilograms again and Bennett refused to pick him in the NRL.
Te Whare ended up training mostly with Te’o’s reserve grade Dolphins and has flourished in the back end of the season, scoring nine tries in seven games during Redcliffe’s charge to the grand final.
“He started well then dropped off,” Te’o said.
“He lost the weight, put the weight back on and now he’s lost it again. By the time he lost it again the NRL had moved on from him and cut ties. He’s been with me a lot of the time.
“After a while everyone gave up on Val but he’s got to show that he wants it. He wasn’t showing that.
“All the experience is coming in now. He knows the right defensive plays to make. It would be silly for him to leave now.
“No one moves like him. I have never seen someone that big move that fast.”
The Dolphins will be without star fullback Trai Fuller after he suffered an ACL rupture in his knee last week.
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Originally published as NRL 2024: Dolphins axe cult hero Valynce Te Whare, top players to watch in Hostplus Cup grand final
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