Gorden Tallis has urged the Broncos to bring Allan Langer back to the club after assistant coach Ben Te’o quit his role.
The reigning premiers were thrown into turmoil once again on Tuesday morning when reports surfaced regarding a heated stoush between Te’o and Michael Maguire.
The pair were reportedly involved in a verbal altercation leading into Brisbane’s win over the Storm last Friday, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.
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Te’o met with Maguire and football boss Troy Thomson on Monday night, but they were unable to patch things up, leading to his departure from the reigning premiers.
Ben Te’o during his playing days at Brisbane. Getty
Broncos chief executive Dave Donaghy then fronted media in a snap press conference, addressing the shock decision from the club’s defensive coach.
Speaking on Tuesday afternoon, Donaghy attempted to explain the situation.
“We’ve had a number of conversations with Ben over the past 24 hours – it was certainly a conversation we didn’t see coming, to be fair,” the CEO said.
“Ben has tendered his resignation, which we’re working through now in the background.
“One thing I’ll say is, the conversation with Ben and myself yesterday, that part of it needs to stay private and confidential.
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“Madge and Ben go a long way back, each are feeling how they feel and they have their own emotions and experiences around that.
“They’ve had some wonderful times together as well, they won a comp together at South Sydney and they won a comp together six months ago at the Broncos.
“Unfortunately, we find ourselves in this position and we’ll work our way through it.
“I think it would be fair to say it’s less than ideal to be working through something like this, but it’s the reality of elite sport.
Dave Donaghy speaks to media. Nine
“From my conversations with Ben and I’ve had a couple of them – as did Madge and Troy – I don’t think it would be fair for any of us to talk on Ben’s behalf.
“We were shocked and certainly disappointed … sometimes we get to a point where we feel like we should step outside the arena and Ben has decided to do that.”
Te’o had previously committed to Brisbane’s coaching staff until the end of 2028, but has now walked out just six months after tasting premiership success.
Speaking on Fox League’s NRL 360, three-time premiership winner Tallis – who has been outspoken regarding Maguire and the club recently – was asked for his thoughts on the matter.
Tallis then gave his suggestion on where the Broncos needed to look to fill the vacancy.
“It’s strange, I’m sure not every coach and assistant coach see eye-to-eye on how they’re going and what they’re doing every week,” Tallis said.
“It’s strange with the success they’ve had that the relationship has split apart.
Gorden Tallis. Getty
“I’m shocked, he’s just re-signed … they thought there could have been a dynasty. Four rounds in, he’s decided to leave. I heard Ben is comfortable with his decision.
“Madge has asked me to come in the four walls and I’ve declined.
“Allan Langer needs to go back and get in the four walls and get in the blue shirt.
“There’s no one that brings a side together like Allan Langer and if I was at the Broncos right now, with that playing group vulnerable and blokes leaving with the uncertainty, he’s the guy that’s always held every team together.”
Langer was a long-time blue shirt trainer for the Broncos – one of the roles which Te’o had been doing recently – before the champion halfback left the club the end of 2024.
While the pressure has been mounting on Maguire in the midst of a poor start to the campaign, Donaghy threw his support behind the Brisbane coach.
Broncos coach Michael Maguire. NRL Imagery
“Our coach does an incredible job, he busts his backside every day and works incredibly hard,” the Broncos head honcho said.
“I can’t be any more clear – he’s done a brilliant job for our club, he constantly puts the club first. He’s done an amazing job and we couldn’t have asked for anything more.
“We know that Madge has been brought in to do a job that he’s doing and he’s supported by some high quality assistant coaches as well.
“Whilst it’s not ideal [Te’o leaving], we’re very confident in the people we’ve got.”
Donaghy said the Broncos would “look inside the organisation first” for a replacement on the coaching staff to join fellow assistants Matt Ballin and Trent Barrett.
Earlier in the day, Ben Talty and Brendan Piakura were forced into an awkward spot when they fronted cameras and were asked about the departing coach.
“I saw it on Instagram this morning, I haven’t read too much into it,” Talty said, while Piakura admitted he ‘learned a lot’ from his time working with Te’o.
The former State of Origin enforcer, who won a premiership with Maguire at South Sydney in 2014, had signed an extension with the Broncos last year.
He also played 96 first grade games for Brisbane across two stints.
The news of his departure continues a troublesome period for the Broncos, with the running feud between Tallis and the club dominating headlines.
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