Brisbane are searching for the next generation of outstanding props to make a statement, and former captain Justin Hodges says giant Ben Te Kura fits the bill on one proviso.
The 205cm hulk has been named to start in the No.8 jersey made famous by Broncos premiership-winning heroes Glenn Lazarus and Shane Webcke when he plays the opening trial against Burleigh on Saturday night.
Te Kura, 20, is in a battle for a bench position for the round-one clash with the Sydney Roosters on March 6.
He showed promising glimpses in three NRL games in 2024, which included scoring a rampaging try against Melbourne, before a Lisfranc injury ruled him out for three months.
Broncos legend Hodges is assistant coach at Souths-Logan in the Queensland Cup where Te Kura has played while learning his craft. Hodges said Te Kura had the makings of a quality front-rower.
"I just think he needs to believe in himself," Hodges told AAP.
"There was a game he played in the Queensland Cup in PNG where he really gritted his teeth and steamrolled everyone. That was the best game I have ever seen him play.
"He is a big body who just needs to believe and understand why he is here. He is a special talent and no one likes to tackle big guys. Once he finds his self-confidence he could be anything."
He said Te Kura could be a real handful off the bench for new coach Michael Maguire and complement the stellar work of representative forwards Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas.
"With the speed of the modern game, if Ben comes off the bench there are going to be blokes who are going to be tired and could struggle trying to tackle a big frame like that," Hodges said.
"Hopefully he has worked on his fitness as well. If you are fit enough you can do things that most guys can't."
"Payne and Patty are the guys he should surround himself (with) and watch how they work. He can then pick up their habits with the way they train and play and use that himself."
Broncos 18-year-old half Coby Black will come off the bench against Burleigh, and there are high hopes he can be the successor to captain Adam Reynolds when he retires.
Brisbane centre Deloiuse Hoeter, who will return in the trial after a 10-month recovery from a patella tendon rupture, said the ball was in Black's court on inheriting the Reynolds mantle.
"He just has to earn it. It's up to him if he wants to take that opportunity," Hoeter said.
"With 'Madge' (Maguire) you have got to earn everything. Nothing is just given.
"I'm sure that if he works hard enough he will be more than capable, but we can't put Reyno's experience and understanding of the game aside because he has almost 300 games and that is hard to get.
"Coby is still young and is doing really well. Ben Hunt has been great for him. Everyone knows his experience and what he has done in the game, so Coby is doing well to learn off him. He is coming off the bench, but everyone has to start somewhere and work their way in."
Canberra Times
