SMH
Andrew Webster | June 18, 2008
BOOM Wests Tigers back-rower Ben Te'o has personally contacted almost every club in the NRL about his future. As the Gold Coast Titans denied speculation they had signed the 21-year-old, and the Broncos rejected claims they were poised to sign him, it has emerged Te'o has complicated his situation by negotiating his next deal on his own.
The Herald understands Te'o contacted the Rugby League Players Association when he severed ties with leading player manager Daryl Mather earlier this month and was promptly provided with the contact details of each club chief executive. Consequently, he has been linked to most clubs - although Tigers officials are privately pessimistic about his staying on and Te'o insists a decision on his future will be made next week. "I can't say too much - I'm on a media ban," Te'o said last night. "I'm hopeful it will be sorted soon. Call me next week, man. I'll know then."
Rumours swept the game at the weekend that he had signed with a Queensland club to be closer to his family, although he had been linked to St George Illawarra after meetings with incoming coach Wayne Bennett. South Sydney and Penrith are also interested in Te'o, who has been one of the form back-rowers of the competition. "We're limited in what we could offer him," Broncos boss Bruno Cullen said last night, a sentiment echoed by Titans chief executive Michael Searle, who is overseas.
Te'o and his father met Tigers coach Tim Sheens and recruitment manager Warren McDonnell on Monday night. "There's a limit to what we can offer him," McDonnell said. "We're trying our best."
The future of Broncos winger Darius Boyd was also no clearer last night despite being linked to the Dragons. Cullen said he had not been approached by his management about a release.
Andrew Webster | June 18, 2008
BOOM Wests Tigers back-rower Ben Te'o has personally contacted almost every club in the NRL about his future. As the Gold Coast Titans denied speculation they had signed the 21-year-old, and the Broncos rejected claims they were poised to sign him, it has emerged Te'o has complicated his situation by negotiating his next deal on his own.
The Herald understands Te'o contacted the Rugby League Players Association when he severed ties with leading player manager Daryl Mather earlier this month and was promptly provided with the contact details of each club chief executive. Consequently, he has been linked to most clubs - although Tigers officials are privately pessimistic about his staying on and Te'o insists a decision on his future will be made next week. "I can't say too much - I'm on a media ban," Te'o said last night. "I'm hopeful it will be sorted soon. Call me next week, man. I'll know then."
Rumours swept the game at the weekend that he had signed with a Queensland club to be closer to his family, although he had been linked to St George Illawarra after meetings with incoming coach Wayne Bennett. South Sydney and Penrith are also interested in Te'o, who has been one of the form back-rowers of the competition. "We're limited in what we could offer him," Broncos boss Bruno Cullen said last night, a sentiment echoed by Titans chief executive Michael Searle, who is overseas.
Te'o and his father met Tigers coach Tim Sheens and recruitment manager Warren McDonnell on Monday night. "There's a limit to what we can offer him," McDonnell said. "We're trying our best."
The future of Broncos winger Darius Boyd was also no clearer last night despite being linked to the Dragons. Cullen said he had not been approached by his management about a release.
