Ben Te’o isn’t just another former rugby star—he’s someone who’s actually lived and breathed both sides of the sport.
From the blood-pumping clashes of State of Origin to the storied intensity of the British & Irish Lions, he’s done it all.
Now, as he settles into life as an assistant coach at the Brisbane Broncos, Te’o is calling for something radical: bringing rugby league and rugby union back together into one single, global game.
Life After Union—and a New Perspective
After his union career was abruptly cut short during the pandemic in 2020, Te’o returned to his rugby league roots and is now helping coach one of the NRL’s biggest teams.
And from his current vantage point, it’s clearer than ever to him: the divide between league and union just doesn’t make much sense anymore.
“I’ve been thinking about this for a long time,” Te’o says.
“It’s all rugby—so why not simplify it and make it one game?”
Why He Believes Merging the Codes Makes Sense
Te’o’s idea isn’t just based on sentiment.
From a practical standpoint, he argues that merging the two formats could create a faster, more entertaining global product—something that could finally compete with the likes of football and basketball in popularity.
“If you look at league now, the players are leaner, fitter, and the game is fast-paced with less stoppage.
That’s what people want,” he explains. “Union? Too many players, too slow, and there are parts—like the lineout—that maybe just aren’t that entertaining.”
Rugby for All Body Types
Te’o also sees league’s physical demands as more inclusive for athletes from a wider range of countries.
Smaller, faster players could thrive in this format, he says, pointing to nations like Japan, Argentina, Spain, and even Russia as ripe for expansion.
“If you want to go into new markets, league is more suited to their genetic profile.
Fast, agile, hardworking. It’s a better fit than union’s bulkier style.”
The Unique Career That Informs His View
Of course, Te’o isn’t just speaking theoretically—he’s lived the experience.
He starred in the NRL, played for Queensland in State of Origin, and even wore the Lions jersey during the iconic 2017 tour of New Zealand.
It’s a rare résumé that gives him a one-of-a-kind perspective.
When asked which meant more—Origin or the Lions—he doesn’t choose a side.
“Origin is the most brutal, fastest footy I’ve played,” he admits. “But the Lions? That’s something else entirely.
You’ve got fans traveling across the world with you, singing songs, filling out bars at 11am. It’s like a rolling festival.”
That Time Things Got a Bit Heated
Te’o’s international union career hit an unfortunate bump in 2019 when a night out with England got out of hand.
A dust-up with Mike Brown led head coach Eddie Jones to drop both players from the World Cup squad.
But Te’o holds no grudges. In fact, he says he understands Jones’s decision: “Sometimes a coach needs to make a point to the squad.
I was injured anyway, and maybe he saw it as a way to draw a line in the sand.”
Coaching Comes Calling
After a short stint in France and Japan, Te’o found himself back in Brisbane.
What started as casual workouts at the Broncos gym turned into an invitation to join their bubble during Covid—and eventually, a spot on the coaching team.
Now running the Broncos’ defence, he’s learning from one of league’s greats, Wayne Bennett, and enjoying life back where it all started.
The Union Disconnect
Despite his deep ties to union, Te’o admits he hasn’t watched a professional match since retiring.
The box kicks, the pressure, the slower pace—it’s just not what excites him anymore.
Still, he isn’t ruling out a return one day.
“Maybe I’ll coach in union again, maybe back in Europe.
But I need to fall in love with it again first.”
Embracing His Multicultural Story
Born in New Zealand to a Samoan father and English mother, Te’o understands the debate around foreign-born players in Lions squads.
But he believes his story is different.
“My mum’s English. When she came to Twickenham to watch me in the Six Nations, it meant something. I felt proud to wear that jersey.”
Looking Ahead—And Back at the Same Time
For now, Te’o is firmly back in the league world.
But if the stars align, and rugby’s powerbrokers take his bold suggestion seriously, maybe he won’t have to choose between codes ever again.
“It’s all rugby. So let’s make it one game.”