Brisbane Coach Addresses Defensive Coach’s Resignation Amidst “My Way or the Highway” Claims
Brisbane Broncos coach Michael Maguire has firmly denied any suggestion that he operates with a “my way or the highway” philosophy, following the unexpected resignation of his defensive coach, Ben Te’o. Te’o, who previously shared premiership success with Maguire as a player at the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2014, stepped down on Tuesday, citing an untenable position at the club.
While the exact motivations behind Te’o’s departure remain undisclosed by key figures, it is widely understood that he and Maguire have experienced significant disagreements over a period of time. This situation has fuelled a narrative suggesting Maguire can be a challenging figure to collaborate with. However, speaking ahead of the Broncos’ derby clash with the Dolphins on Friday night, Maguire directly addressed these concerns.
“I actually really enjoy taking advice from people,” Maguire stated when questioned about his willingness to accept input from his assistants. “I probably do less coaching now than I ever have. As a young coach I was fairly full on and people have spoken about that but (now) I enjoy bringing staff on and people on.”
Maguire acknowledged that Te’o’s resignation was an unforeseen event. “He submitted his resignation and we’ve taken that,” he confirmed, though he declined on multiple occasions to elaborate on the specific circumstances leading to Te’o’s decision. The coach expressed confidence in the existing defensive structures within the club, indicating that the team is well-equipped to manage without Te’o’s immediate replacement. “We’ve obviously got staff in place and I’m very, very happy with those staff,” Maguire commented, adding that there was “not a rush” to fill the vacant defensive coaching role.
Dolphins Coach Offers Perspective on Te’o’s Departure
Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf suggested that the Te’o situation could serve as a unifying force for the Broncos. Woolf, who had previously offered Te’o a coaching position within his own staff, revealed that Te’o had been the Queensland Cup coach for the Dolphins before opting to join Brisbane, a club where he had a playing history.
Woolf indicated that Te’o is unlikely to return to coaching at the Dolphins in the near future. “I can’t just jump and make positions that aren’t there,” Woolf explained. “At the same time I’ve got a lot of respect for Ben, who I’ve known for a long time and particularly from his days at the Broncos, and I made it clear he was a guy that I wanted to keep here.”
Injury Update: Payne Haas Shows Promising Signs
In other team news, injured prop Payne Haas is showing signs of improvement following an AC joint injury sustained during the Broncos’ hard-fought 18-14 victory over the Melbourne Storm. However, Maguire cautioned that it remains a “wait and see” situation regarding Haas’s availability for the upcoming match against the Gold Coast Titans.
Maguire highlighted Haas’s performance against the Storm as a testament to his dedication. The talented forward, who is set to join the South Sydney Rabbitohs next year, displayed remarkable commitment despite his injury.
“It was an incredible effort what we saw last week,” Maguire said. “At halftime I was told he probably wouldn’t play (in the second half). Next thing the big fella is standing next to me and said, ‘Madge I am going back out there’. It just shows what it means to Payne to play with his teammates and for the club.”
The coach’s comments underscore the team’s focus on the upcoming challenges, even amidst internal adjustments and player welfare concerns. The Broncos are aiming to maintain their strong performance trajectory as the season progresses.
