Queensland and South Sydney back-rower Ben Te’o will leave the NRL at the end of the 2014 season after signing with Irish rugby union.
In a long-speculated move, the 27-year-old inked a two-year contract with Leinster.
His move to the 15-man code will bring to an end an eight-year NRL career which included stints at Wests Tigers, Brisbane and the Rabbitohs.
“I didn’t rush in making my decision on my next career move, and I’m looking forward to the challenge of making the transition to a sport I played as a kid and living in a new country once this season is over,” Te’o said in a statement.
He made seven State of Origin appearances for Queensland and played one game for Samoa at the 2008 World Cup.
Te’o will bring up his 150th NRL match against former club Brisbane at ANZ Stadium on Thursday night.
Te’o hasn’t played rugby union since he was a junior, but that isn’t concerning Leinster coach Matt O’Connor.
“It is something that I dealt with myself as a player but with his professionalism, his physicality and his skill-set, there is no reason why the transition can’t be a success,” O’Connor said.
“Both codes are littered with examples of players that have made the transition and I look forward to working directly with Ben when he arrives.”
Scrubbit
Guest
Top mug this bloke. Hope he goes well at 13.
Bluebag
Guest
The man is a legend, nay an Immortal for his treatment of Danny Weidler!
Logan
Guest
The RaboDirect Penalty 12 is probably the most boring league in the world, either code.
maximillian
Guest
yea good point. I had southern hemisphere players Beale/AAC Nonu/Smith JDV/Fourie in my mind when considering 12/13. Good luck to him either way, but a big loss to the Rabbitohs on the back of Sam Burgess leaving as well. Their premiership window is quickly closing so they need to win it soon.
Rod
Guest
He should be ok for speed and ball skills based on the players that play those positions in the northern hemisphere.
maximillian
Guest
Im interested to know what position he will play? I assume probably 12/13 but Im unsure if he has the pace & ball skills to play there.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Sportfreak. For good order's sake. He is currently playing rugby league and will be soon going to rugby union.Rugby name common to both forms . Perhaps you should have a quiet chat with Beale,Folau,Hoiles,the Ellas,Fairfaxes,Sam Burgess ,Sam Tonkin's brother,Jason Robinson for a start.They could put you in the picture.Both are pro games so the hunt for talent is widespread. It depends on schools involved and their code preferences. Talent scouts from both codes attend respective codes' comps schoolboys and club finals.
Sportfreak
Guest
welcome back to rugby mate. how many players in the nrl came from rugby? can't league develop its own players?
ferret
Guest
Pity. The Broncos could do with his muscle and mongrel in defence. Why we let Teo go and kept Glenn (who is a steady dependable vanilla player) I'll never understand.