Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy has addressed the media on Tuesday following news that assistant coach Ben Te’o had sensationally quit the club.
The 39-year-old walked away on Tuesday after an explosive verbal bust-up with Michael Maguire over team tactics ahead of the Broncos’ 18-14 win over the Storm.
According to Code Sports, tensions reportedly boiled over after Te’o, Maguire’s chief defensive assistant, argued over defensive tactics following the club leaking 40 points to the Eels the week prior.
Brisbane chief executive Dave Donaghy and crisis manager Grant Williams launched an investigation into what unfolded.
However, Te’o informed the club on Tuesday morning that he no longer wishes to work with the club after the Maguire spat.
Donaghy said the discussions had taken place over the previous day and had caught the club off guard.
“We’d had a number of conversations with Ben over the past 24 hours, it was certainly a conversation we didn’t see coming,” Donaghy said.
Donaghy was asked why things have happened this way with Te’o and why a compromise wasn’t reached.
Following a lengthy pause, the Broncos CEO said it would be unfair to talk on his behalf around why Te’o made the decision.
“Needless to say we were shocked and certainly disappointed someone like Ben made that call,” he added.
“But Ben is also an adult. He’s a grown man … he’s made a decision. Once he’s made a decision, he’s decided to make that.”
A follow up question asked if Maguire had become difficult to work with.
“My experience with Madge, I’ve known him for a long time … I think he’s an absolute joy to work with,” Donaghy said.
“He’s out there every day working tirelessly to make our club better. No one can challenge he’s not. He wakes up every day wanting to see how he can improve and how everyone around him can improve. From my experience, he does that with care.”
In a statement released by the club prior to Donaghy fronting the media, the club confirmed discussions remain ongoing surrounding Te’o’s future.
Earlier in the day, Broncos stars Ben Talty and Brendan Piakura were blindsided by the news while conducting media appearances.
The duo were quizzed on what transpired between Maguire and Te’o.
“I saw it on Instagram this morning. I haven’t read too much into it,” Talty said.
“I don’t know what’s coming or how true the situation is, but I can’t really comment on it.
“Benny’s a fantastic coach, he’s our defence coach, and we try to pride ourselves on our defence as well as a team.”
While edge forward Brendan Piakura was full of praise for their former assistant coach.
“He’s done really well for me, just learning off him – he was a great player and a great coach as well, we won a grand final together last year,” Piakura said.
Internally, Te’o is largely credited with putting in place the defensive structures that helped the Broncos snap a 19-year title drought last season.
He was originally hired by Kevin Walters, just days before the Broncos legend was sacked, with Maguire honouring his contract.
Before his foray into coaching, Te’o played under Maguire during the Rabbitohs’ 2014 drought-breaking premiership, before he quit the club to pursue a career in rugby union. He later returned to the Broncos in 2020 before retiring in 2021.
Te’o previously opened up about working under Maguire on The Bye Round Podcast last year and how his temper has changed over the years.
“He’s changed. When I got him in 2014, he was young, aggressive, straightforward, and very challenging. He’d go off pretty easily,” Te’o told James Graham on The Bye Round.
“He’s a lot more measured now. Obviously, time and experience, but yeah, the blow-ups aren’t the same, but yeah he’s evolved.
“His principles are the same. It’s different being a player under him to now working with him, but I get what’s important to him, and that’s why it works. “
The latest Broncos drama comes just days after Broncos bosses sensationally removed Gorden Tallis’ name from a conference room at the club’s $27 million headquarters following his constant criticism of Maguire and club captain Adam Reynolds.
