Former Brisbane assistant coach Ben Te'o is a recruitment target of Australia coach Kevin Walters as he prepares to make staff changes for the Rugby League World Cup.
Te'o controversially resigned his position as defensive coach at the Broncos last month after deciding he could not continue in the role. While he has not spelt out the reasons, it is understood he butted heads with head coach Michael Maguire about several issues through his tenure.
Walters was axed by the Broncos as head coach at the end of 2024 shortly after he had signed Te'o as one of his assistants for the 2025 season. The two did not get to work together.
Speaking on Wide World of Sports' QLDER show, Walters confirmed he tried to recruit Te'o on staff for the Ashes Tour of England last year but was blocked by the Broncos.
The assistants he had for the successful 3-0 win over England have had their circumstances change.
Hull KR head coach Willie Peters will be focused on the PNG Chiefs once his commitments with the Robins are over and Walters said he was not sure of the status of Gorden Tallis considering he was now a co-owner of the Gold Coast Titans. The NRL has a policy of not appointing coaches to the Australian set up with club affiliations.
Te'o, who won the 2014 premiership at South Sydney as a player, has no such concerns at present.
"Ben is certainly in my sights. It will just be whether we can get something done there," Walters said.
"I would like to have in on my staff. He is a very good young coach. I like his personality as well. He is not too heated and is very calm around situations from what I have seen.
"He would be a very good addition to the group if we can make that happen."
Walters also coached Te'o in 2021 in what was the final year of the former Maroons hardman's playing career.
Te'o is a man in demand with AAP being told he was also a candidate to join Billy Slater's Queensland coaching staff ahead of State of Origin. A further vacancy has opened up with former Maroons assistant Josh Hannay now head coach of the Titans.
Walters said he was in the midst of planning with Kangaroos team manager Tim Rutherford ahead of the World Cup, which will be held in Australia and Papua New Guinea and kicks off in October.
Australia will play Tests in Sydney, Brisbane and Townsville against New Zealand, Fiji and Cook Islands in the group phase.
"I am very confident we will have a very good Australian side," Walters said.
