Overview
- Ben Te’o quit the Brisbane Broncos’ coaching staff on Tuesday after a heated tactical dispute with head coach Michael Maguire in the lead‑up to the win over Melbourne, a resignation CEO Dave Donaghy said the club accepted.
- Donaghy said Wednesday the club, not Maguire, blocked Te’o from joining Queensland’s State of Origin staff, citing limits on how many Broncos coaches can be away during the mid‑season representative series.
- Facing reporters Thursday, Maguire denied claims he struggles to take advice, declined to detail the bust‑up, and said existing assistants Matt Ballin and Trent Barrett will cover duties without a rushed external hire.
- Broncos players praised Te’o’s influence on their defence and said his exit surprised them, while the team turns to Friday’s derby against the Dolphins with star prop Payne Haas sidelined by a shoulder issue.
- Te’o’s next role remains unclear as ESPN reported a Titans move is unlikely after they filled assistant spots, and Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf left the door open to future interest while noting no vacancy now.