Broncos prop Corey Jensen has signalled the dawning of the next chapter in Ben Te Kura’s NRL career, declaring the young behemoth would bring the “intimidation” needed to swing the momentum of a contest.
Te Kura got a small taste of what life at the top was all about last year, when the 205-centimetre, 122-kilogram powerhouse made a try-scoring debut against the Melbourne Storm.
A Lisfranc injury limited the 21-year-old’s involvement from that point. However, he returned for the final two games off the bench.
While he failed to get a chance to showcase his giant frame in that pair of comprehensive defeats, Jensen believed Te Kura was on the cusp of announcing himself as the injection of spark Brisbane needed to support star middle Payne Haas.
Last season’s top four sides were able to call on one of their big men on the interchange to change the context of a match – Lindsay Smith (Penrith), Christian Welch (Melbourne), Spencer Leniu (Sydney) and Royce Hunt (Cronulla) playing important roles.
The Broncos lacked that impact after losing Thomas Flegler and Keenan Palasia from their 2023 grand final outfit – running for the competition’s fewest post-contact metres, bettering only Wests Tigers for total metres.
But Jensen said Te Kura had learned how to use his hulking physique to his advantage, and would fill that void.
“You see how quick the game is going now, you need the bits and pieces of different sides of the players out there, and he is such a big frame,” Jensen said.
“With his intimidation factor on the field, I know when he comes on he really changes the game whether it’s with his defence or attack, so it’s something we’re looking for from him.
“It does take time, I’m pretty old now and still adjusting to how fast the NRL is. The young blokes are really ripping in and training hard, and they’ll find their feet.
“I have no doubt he’ll learn to play more minutes when it comes to the time.”
Te Kura is among Brisbane’s rising talents eager to become NRL mainstays, and new coach Michael Maguire appears to already be making sweeping changes.
Kobe Hetherington, having been told last year he was free to explore his options, was instead informed he loomed as a key part of Maguire’s 2025 plans.
It led to speculation he could move to lock, with Pat Carrigan shifting to prop.
That would jeopardise Jensen’s starting hopes, as Xavier Willison joined Te Kura in pushing their case for greater responsibility up front under the brutal Maguire regimen.
It is an environment Hetherington declared he was thriving in, admitting the gruelling fitness and defensive demands were needed for a side that “had some people missing their jobs”.
“This training is my sort of style. Madge focuses on all the little things – working from the inside, tying in, real hard work,” Hetherington said.
“I’m really excited about what’s happening, how we’re training and the feel around the club is unreal.”
Sydney Morning Herald
