Ben Te'o
Second row / lock
Player Bio
- Date of Birth:
- 27 January 1987
- Birthplace:
- Auckland, New Zealand
- Origin Debut:
- 03 July 2012
- Venue:
- Suncorp Stadium
Career
Achievements
- State of Origin debut - Game III, 2012 at Suncorp Stadium
Career statistics
- Games
- 6
- Points
- 0
- Tries
- 0
Biography
Ben Te’o grew up playing junior rugby league with the Hibiscus Coast Raiders in New Zealand, but the Auckland born utility player moved to Australia as a teen, where he attended Keebra Park State High School on the Gold Coast.
He represented the Junior Kiwis against Australian Schoolboys in 2005. Keebra Park has a strong association with Wests Tigers, and Te’o joined the Sydney club in 2007, making a big impression in his debut season.
He played one more season with the Tigers, before moving back to Queensland to play for the Brisbane Broncos, where he proved an instant hit.
Te'o broke his arm twice in the 2011 season, but was back for the finals, helping the club beat the Warriors and the Dragons, before they bowed out with a loss to Manly in the preliminary final.
He made his State of Origin debut for Queensland in Game III of the 2012 series, and made a further five appearances for the Maroons. Te’o joined South Sydney in 2013, playing second row in the 2014 NRL grand final win over Canterbury.
He switched to rugby union at the end of the season, signing with Irish provincial side, Leinster. During his time in union he represented the British and Irish Lions and England, and played club rugby in Ireland, England, France and Japan, where he was largely used as a centre.
Playing Origin means you can cope with the physicality of the most physical game in the world.
Eddie Jones England Rugby Union national coach
The fact he had an English father and a Samoan mother made him eligible for both countries. He represented Samoa in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup in Australia, scoring two tries in a Test against France.
He returned to rugby league with the Broncos in 2020, and played two seasons, before retiring with 173 NRL games to his credit.
He hopes to continue in rugby league as a coach, and in December, 2021, accepted a mentoring role at new NRL franchise, the Dolphins, where the coach is Wayne Bennett. In 2022, Te'o has been coaching the club's Hastings Deering Colts side.
Te'o, who has a communications degree, has had experience in radio and TV.
Former Origin Greats
Queensland Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.