Hopes Big Ben's return can chime for a Broncos boost
The Broncos have axed bench prop Fletcher Baker and elevated 21-year-old Te Kura for Saturday night's NRL match after the club's five losses from six games.
Brisbane's 2006 title winner Karmichael Hunt, an Australian representative in two codes, has been coaching Te Kura in the Queensland Cup for Souths-Logan.
Te Kura is the 205cm giant, the tallest in the NRL, who played three matches off the bench in 2024 and impressed.
Now he gets his chance away at Brookvale Oval as coach Michael Maguire backs youth after former New Zealand international Martin Taupau was released from the club.
Te Kura has missed just three tackles in nine matches for South-Logan in the Queensland Cup this year while making 40 tackle busts.
"He is just doing his job really well as a middle - carrying hard and making sure his defensive movements are where they need to be," Hunt told AAP.
"The last few weeks he has been leading from the front and setting a platform and obviously Madge (Maguire) has been happy with him.
"I'm sure Madge's instructions are to cause a bit of havoc. He has got the ability to do that."
Broncos veteran Gehamat Shibasaki said Te Kura would do the job.
"Benny is a big boy. He has done really well and I am proud of him for how he has handled the pre-season and getting his body right and doing his reps in the Q Cup," he said.
"He gives Patty (Carrigan) and Payne (Haas) a run for their money at training so I'm pretty sure if he can handle those boys he can handle anyone. "He's matured a lot. He understood he had to get fit and get his body right. He's done a lot of time with his extras and got his food right and what he needed to do to get in the team.
"Madge has seen that and he's really deserved it."
Broncos hooker Cory Paix said his role with Te Kura was straight forward.
"My job is pretty easy. I just have to give it to the big fella and he can run over the top of them," Paix grinned.
"Ben has been working really hard in the Queensland Cup and deserves his opportunity. I am sure he will do a really good job."
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