The Brisbane Broncos‘ reluctance to let Ben Te’o join Billy Slater‘s backroom staff at the Maroons is said to be one of the factors behind the assistant coach’s shock departure. The reigning premiers were rocked by news of defensive coach Teo’s sudden resignation on Tuesday, which came after a heated disagreement with Broncos coach Michael Maguire.
The pair reportedly argued over defensive tactics in Melbourne, before the Broncos stunned the Storm in the NRL grand final rematch in Round 3. The defensive structures and resolve that Te’o helped instil at Brisbane were integral to their premiership triumph last season, especially towards the end of the season and at the back-end of games when the team’s superior fitness shone through.
The Broncos reportedly blocked former assistant coach Ben Te’o from joining Queensland coach Billy Slater’s backroom staff at the Maroons. Pic: Getty
Brisbane conceded just 10 points in the second halves of the three finals they won to claim last year’s premiership. That included second half shut-outs against Penrith in the preliminary final and against Melbourne in the decider.
But according to The Courier Mail’s Peter Badel, things came to a head recently when Maguire assumed greater control of the Broncos’ defence over Te’o. “I’m told that he didn’t always see eye-to-eye with Maguire over some of the defensive patterns, some of the defensive methodologies, and the way they wanted to run things,” Badel told NRL 360 on Tuesday night.
An argument between Broncos assistant Ben Te’o and head coach Michael Maguire over the team’s defence reportedly factored into the former’s resignation. Pic: Getty
“Now, that’s natural. You’re going to have coaches at all clubs that don’t always see eye-to-eye, aren’t always on the same page. And it is the head coach’s prerogative… to call the shots as they see fit. That’s why they’re the head coach.”
Billy Slater approached Ben Te’o about role with Maroons
Badel claims the Broncos also blocked Te’o from linking up with Queensland coach Slater as one of his Origin assistants this year. It’s understood former Maroons assistant Josh Hannay – now coach of the Titans – endorsed Te’o for the job after coming close to luring him to the Gold Coast.
Slater reportedly spoke to Te’o about the role but the Broncos were not willing to release another assistant, having already let Matt Ballin join the Queensland backroom staff. “I’m also hearing Te’o last year was approached by Josh Hannay, the Titans coach, to join his coaching staff,” Badel said.
“One of the things that Hannay had recommended to Queensland coach Billy Slater was that Te’o be an assistant coach for the Origin team this year. I’m told that Billy Slater approached Te’o about the job. Te’o went to Maguire and the Broncos and they vetoed the move.
“That would be enormously disappointing for Te’o and it was not only a decision by Maguire, it was formalised by Donaghy. They had already lost Matt Ballin as an assistant with the Maroons. They didn’t want to lose a second guy, so whether that was also a factor, I believe it was, but it’s multifaceted. But at the end of the day it seems like Te’o didn’t have his heart totally in the job, and he wants to change.”
It’s understood Maroons coach Billy Slater approached Ben Te’o about becoming one of his assistant coaches at Queensland. Pic: Getty
Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy spoke with Te’o before he handed in his resignation. But the Broncos boss admits it came as a shock to the club and coach Maguire, who Te’o also won a premiership under as a player for Souths in 2014.
“I was very surprised I was having the conversation. We all were,” Donaghy said. “Ben felt really strongly about what he was feeling and wanted to take a step outside the arena and we should respect that. I know for a fact Madge (Maguire) is pained by it because he deeply cares for his people and has a long relationship with Ben.”