Latest news with #TeKura
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Big Ben's return can chime for a loud Broncos boost
Brisbane will unleash their next generation prop Ben Te Kura for the first time this year and he has been backed by a dual international to run riot against Manly. 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 Magpies. 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 the Magpies 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." Brisbane will unleash their next generation prop Ben Te Kura for the first time this year and he has been backed by a dual international to run riot against Manly. 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 Magpies. 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 the Magpies 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." Brisbane will unleash their next generation prop Ben Te Kura for the first time this year and he has been backed by a dual international to run riot against Manly. 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 Magpies. 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 the Magpies 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."
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Hopes Big Ben's return can chime for a Broncos boost
Brisbane will unleash their next generation prop Ben Te Kura for the first time this year and he has been backed by a dual international to run riot against Manly. 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."
The Age
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Age
The NRL's tallest man gets his Broncos chance. Why has it taken until now?
Broncos rookie Ben Te Kura will at last get his chance in the NRL in 2025, having been forced to fight his way into the side through the Queensland Cup. But despite Brisbane's lack of consistency, and limited support for star props Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan, centre Gehamat Shibasaki has shed light on why the NRL's tallest player has been forced to bide his time. Te Kura has statistically been emphatic for the Souths Logan Magpies, missing just three tackles all year while averaging 105 running metres and more than four tackle busts a game. The 21-year-old has been a lethal try-scoring weapon close to the line, a skill which was on show on debut against the Melbourne Storm and has led to five tries and six line breaks this year. Te Kura may not have made a difference in Brisbane's five defeats from their past six encounters, given how raw he still is and ill-discipline has been the Broncos' primary concern as the second-most penalised team (71). Loading However, his 205-centimetre frame would have posed a point of difference in a pack struggling to make inroads – ranking 13th in the competition for post-contact metres. But Shibasaki revealed Te Kura had been issued a challenge by coach Michael Maguire. 'I think it was just keeping his body comp [composition] down and getting his fitness levels up. He's done really well working hard at that, and I think Madge has seen that,' Shibasaki said.
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
The NRL's tallest man gets his Broncos chance. Why has it taken until now?
Broncos rookie Ben Te Kura will at last get his chance in the NRL in 2025, having been forced to fight his way into the side through the Queensland Cup. But despite Brisbane's lack of consistency, and limited support for star props Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan, centre Gehamat Shibasaki has shed light on why the NRL's tallest player has been forced to bide his time. Te Kura has statistically been emphatic for the Souths Logan Magpies, missing just three tackles all year while averaging 105 running metres and more than four tackle busts a game. The 21-year-old has been a lethal try-scoring weapon close to the line, a skill which was on show on debut against the Melbourne Storm and has led to five tries and six line breaks this year. Te Kura may not have made a difference in Brisbane's five defeats from their past six encounters, given how raw he still is and ill-discipline has been the Broncos' primary concern as the second-most penalised team (71). Loading However, his 205-centimetre frame would have posed a point of difference in a pack struggling to make inroads – ranking 13th in the competition for post-contact metres. But Shibasaki revealed Te Kura had been issued a challenge by coach Michael Maguire. 'I think it was just keeping his body comp [composition] down and getting his fitness levels up. He's done really well working hard at that, and I think Madge has seen that,' Shibasaki said.
The Advertiser
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Walsh ruled out as Broncos recall NRL's tallest prop
Reece Walsh has been put on ice for another week, with Jesse Arthars to play fullback for Brisbane away against the regular Broncos No.1 when fit, trained on Monday, but Brisbane have taken a cautious approach to his return from a posterior cruciate ligament injury suffered against the Warriors in the 20-18 loss in round Michael Maguire has elevated giant 205cm prop Ben Te Kura to the bench for his first NRL match of the season on Saturday at Brookvale Fletcher Baker, who has failed to fire since joining the Broncos, was axed for his poor display in the round 11 loss to St George Illawarra. The 21-year-old Te Kura has been sensational for Souths-Logan in the Queensland Cup, with his defensive efforts most impressive. Incredibly Te Kura has a defensive efficiency rate of 98.2 per cent and has missed just three tackles in nine games. He played three NRL games off the bench last year, including two against Melbourne. The big popper impressed with a try that showcased his fire and brimstone. Arthars has not started as fullback in the NRL, but was man of the match for the Maori All Stars in their win over the Indigenous All Stars this year when he was the No.1. The 26-year-old has started at fullback in six matches in the Queensland Cup for Norths and Wynnum-Manly. Selwyn Cobbo, who had previously played fullback in Walsh's absence, has been named on the wing. Cobbo suffered a wrist injury in the loss to the Dragons, when he was below his best. State of Origin representatives Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan have been named to start, but a decision on their availability will be made later in the week. The Broncos have lost five of their past six games and will fall outside the top eight with a loss. Reece Walsh has been put on ice for another week, with Jesse Arthars to play fullback for Brisbane away against the regular Broncos No.1 when fit, trained on Monday, but Brisbane have taken a cautious approach to his return from a posterior cruciate ligament injury suffered against the Warriors in the 20-18 loss in round Michael Maguire has elevated giant 205cm prop Ben Te Kura to the bench for his first NRL match of the season on Saturday at Brookvale Fletcher Baker, who has failed to fire since joining the Broncos, was axed for his poor display in the round 11 loss to St George Illawarra. The 21-year-old Te Kura has been sensational for Souths-Logan in the Queensland Cup, with his defensive efforts most impressive. Incredibly Te Kura has a defensive efficiency rate of 98.2 per cent and has missed just three tackles in nine games. He played three NRL games off the bench last year, including two against Melbourne. The big popper impressed with a try that showcased his fire and brimstone. Arthars has not started as fullback in the NRL, but was man of the match for the Maori All Stars in their win over the Indigenous All Stars this year when he was the No.1. The 26-year-old has started at fullback in six matches in the Queensland Cup for Norths and Wynnum-Manly. Selwyn Cobbo, who had previously played fullback in Walsh's absence, has been named on the wing. Cobbo suffered a wrist injury in the loss to the Dragons, when he was below his best. State of Origin representatives Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan have been named to start, but a decision on their availability will be made later in the week. The Broncos have lost five of their past six games and will fall outside the top eight with a loss. Reece Walsh has been put on ice for another week, with Jesse Arthars to play fullback for Brisbane away against the regular Broncos No.1 when fit, trained on Monday, but Brisbane have taken a cautious approach to his return from a posterior cruciate ligament injury suffered against the Warriors in the 20-18 loss in round Michael Maguire has elevated giant 205cm prop Ben Te Kura to the bench for his first NRL match of the season on Saturday at Brookvale Fletcher Baker, who has failed to fire since joining the Broncos, was axed for his poor display in the round 11 loss to St George Illawarra. The 21-year-old Te Kura has been sensational for Souths-Logan in the Queensland Cup, with his defensive efforts most impressive. Incredibly Te Kura has a defensive efficiency rate of 98.2 per cent and has missed just three tackles in nine games. He played three NRL games off the bench last year, including two against Melbourne. The big popper impressed with a try that showcased his fire and brimstone. Arthars has not started as fullback in the NRL, but was man of the match for the Maori All Stars in their win over the Indigenous All Stars this year when he was the No.1. The 26-year-old has started at fullback in six matches in the Queensland Cup for Norths and Wynnum-Manly. Selwyn Cobbo, who had previously played fullback in Walsh's absence, has been named on the wing. Cobbo suffered a wrist injury in the loss to the Dragons, when he was below his best. State of Origin representatives Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan have been named to start, but a decision on their availability will be made later in the week. The Broncos have lost five of their past six games and will fall outside the top eight with a loss.
