In this bulletin:
1. RUGBY — Fijiana XVs prepare for Wallaroos showdown as Pacific rivalry returns
2. RUGBY — Moleka excited by new Wallaroos faces ahead of Fijiana test
3. RUGBY — Tana Umaga to re-join All Blacks after Super Rugby Pacific
4. FOOTBALL — Road to OFC U-16 Men’s Championship 2026 starts in Tonga
5. RUGBY LEAGUE — ARL boss predicts sponsorships to soar, tax-free windfall for PNG Chiefs
6. TAEKWONDO — Taekwondo trio off to prepare for Olympics
7. TRIATHLON — Fierce field for Women’s Triathlon race
8. SWIMMING — Ryan Pini’s golden memories, 20 years ago at Melbourne’s Commonwealth Games
9. RUGBY LEAGUE — Te’o quits Broncos after Maguire fracture
10. RUGBY LEAGUE — Broncos suffer huge injury blow but Reynolds returns
FIJI – RUGBY: PMN PACNEWS: Wed 25 Mar 2026
Fijiana XVs prepare for Wallaroos showdown as Pacific rivalry returns
SUVA, 25 MARCH 2026 (PMN)—Fiji’s Fijiana are preparing for a major Pacific rugby clash as they get ready to face the Wallaroos in Canberra this week.
Friday’s Test match will open both teams’ 2026 international season and renew the growing rivalry between the two sides.
They will also compete for the Vuvale Bowl, a trophy that reflects the close family ties between Fiji and Australia.
The match is another opportunity for the Fijians to test themselves against one of the region’s top teams as women’s rugby continues to grow across the Pacific.
The last time the two teams met was in May 2025 when the Australians won 43-7 in Sydney.
Fiji Rugby has confirmed Mike Legge as interim head coach of the Fijiana XV for the upcoming March-April campaign.
The upcoming Test between the Wallaroos and Fijiana will again be played for the Vuvale Bowl, a trophy symbolising the close ties between Fiji and Australia. Photo/Facebook
Legge, who has previously coached the side at international level, will oversee the team’s preparations for the Wallaroos Test as well as the Oceania Women’s Series.
He will lead the programme, responsible for the team’s attacking structure, backs’ performance, and overall match preparation.
The 2026 Oceania Rugby Women’s XV Championship is scheduled for 17-25 April in Fiji, featuring Tonga and Sāmoa.
Naca Cawanibuka, Fiji Rugby’s High Performance Unit general manager, said Legge’s appointment would help maintain continuity as the team prepares for an important international window.
“His previous experience coaching the Fijiana at the international level will be invaluable as we build toward these crucial fixtures,” Cawanibuka said in a Fiji Rugby statement.
The coaching group also includes several experienced figures in Fijian rugby.
Former Flying Fijians representative Joshua Matavesi will oversee the team’s defensive systems and tactical kicking strategy, while Kele Leawere has been appointed forwards coach, focusing on scrum performance and forward play.
Tavaita Rowati joins as assistant backs and skills coach, supporting backline development, and Ifereimi Rawaqa will guide the team’s lineout structures.
The squad has been in a two-week national training camp in Fiji as they build towards Friday’s Test in Australia.
After the camp, the team moved into a short daily training phase before travelling to Canberra for final preparations ahead of the match.
After the Wallaroos Test, the Fijiana will return home for a recovery break before entering another national camp ahead of the Oceania Series at home.
Cawanibuka says the upcoming matches are part of Fiji Rugby’s long-term plans to strengthen the women’s programme and improve the team’s competitiveness on the international stage.
“The March-April window represents an opportunity to strengthen our depth and combinations while aligning the Fijiana XV programme with Fiji Rugby’s long-term goals,” he said.
The campaign is also aimed at helping the team improve its global standing and build towards future Rugby World Cup qualification.
Australia have named a new-look Wallaroos squad for Friday’s Test, with interim coach Sam Needs selecting 10 potential debutants as the team begins its own preparations for the international season.
“The squad selected has a great mix of youth and experience with 10 new faces who have been competing hard and could potentially make their debuts over the next month,” Needs said in a Rugby Australia statement.
The Wallaroos have assembled at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra ahead of the Pacific clash.
This week’s Test is also a build-up for the Wallaroos ahead of the 2026 Pacific Four Series, which includes New Zealand, Canada, and the United States.
The five-year-old tournament starts on 11 April and will be held across the US cities of Sacramento, Kansas, and Chicago. The Black Ferns are the defending champions.
For the Fijiana, the focus this week remains on building combinations and representing Fiji on the international stage as they prepare for one of their biggest Tests of the year.
Fijiana vs Wallaroos test match will be played on Friday 27 March at GIO Stadium, Canberra….PACNEWS
AUST – RUGBY: RUGBY.COM.AU PACNEWS: Wed 25 Mar 2026
Moleka excited by new Wallaroos faces ahead of Fijiana test
SYDNEY, 25 MARCH 2026 (RUGBY.COM.AU)–Wallaroos flyhalf Faitala Moleka believes the new faces can add a new edge to the team as they prepare to open their Test campaign on Friday against Fijiana.
The match in Canberra will kick off a ten-Test season and begin the road to the home World Cup in 2029.
Moleka has emerged as one of the most experienced halves in the squad, with the uncapped Piper Simons and Nicole Ledington added for the Fijiana Test and Pacific Four series.
It comes after the departure of Trilleen Pomare (retirement), Tia Hinds (Sevens) and Arabella McKenzie (rugby league), with the Brumby eager to see the new faces get their chance.
“I think it’s refreshing,” she told reporters.
“We’ve had a very experienced backline previously with G-Fred [Georgina Friedrichs], C [Ceilia] Smith, Trilleen [Pomare], who’s retired now, and so that’s given an opportunity for some of the youngest to come through, and they bring a lot of speed.
“We’ve got what Millie Whittaker on the wing, she’s fiery, she’s quick, we’ve got Brooke [Brooklyn Teki-Joyce] from Force as well. Everything’s so refreshing and it adds a new spark in our backline, and so much talent there that hasn’t been touched
“It’s pretty cool and pretty keen to tap into that.”
Moleka singled out praise for Queenslander and Sevens convert Sidney Taylor, who will press for a spot in the centres along with Ella Ryan, who shifts from the halves.
“She’s quick, man. I’m her inside, and I don’t think I can keep up half the time, so I’m excited to see her,” Moleka said of Taylor.
The match against Fijiana is their first game since last year’s World Cup campaign in England.
This will be followed by the Pacific Four series in the USA next month, while a match against the Red Roses has been locked in to kick off the WXV Global Series later in the year.
“Very keen to start off at the top level [of performance],” Moleka added.
“As we go through this first game, I think it’s just the focus on looking internally and getting our systems right, our connections, and everything on and off the field. I think it will challenge us but I think we’re up for the challenge in terms of gelling out as a team,” she said…. PACNEWS
NZ – RUGBY: MOANA PASIFIKA PACNEWS: Wed 25 Mar 2026
Tana Umaga to re-join All Blacks after Super Rugby Pacific
AUCKLAND, 25 MARCH 2026 (MOANA PASIFIKA)—Just over 20 years since retiring as the first All Blacks captain of Pacific heritage, Moana Pasifika head coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga has confirmed he will take up a role as All Blacks assistant coach at the conclusion of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.
It is a proud moment for him, his wife Rochelle and their four children who are of Samoan and Māori heritage. His appointment adds to the legacy of the Moana Pasifika, the All Blacks, the Pacific Islands and the region’s contribution to the global game.
“Just to be in the conversation – to have a role with the All Blacks again is pretty big,” said Umaga. “It’s no small undertaking but it’s a privilege and an honour.”
“My heart is always with culture – the All Blacks culture, representing the country I was born in, and the culture of my parents – the heritage and the blood that runs through me. I have deep connections to both of those so it would have to be something that I am really connected to for me to move on [from Moana Pasifika].
“In terms of these two teams – they mean a lot to me, both of them. They are part of me.
“I’ve got to make sure that I do well with Moana Pasifika and respect the time that I’ve got here. I’ll apply the same things I learned when I was an All Black in terms of ‘am I going to leave Moana in a better place?’
“So I’m here until the end of the season and we’ve still got things we want to achieve before then.”
Umaga’s departure from Moana Pasifika creates an opportunity for a new era of leadership in the team’s rugby programme, which already consists of the best coaches in the Pacific.
The announcement of his successor will be made following a thorough appointment process – with a specific time frame to be confirmed.
“You’ve always got to have succession planning,” Umaga said. “You’ve got to have a look at who is coming in next because at some stage, players need a new voice and a new way of doing things.
“And it’s an opportunity for some very good young coaches to step forward and keep it going.”
He has been celebrated internally by Moana Pasifika staff, as well as players both past and present, leaving with the blessings of its board and chief executive.
“We are immensely proud of Fa’alogo and could not be happier for his aiga,” said Moana Pasifika CEO Debbie Sorensen.
“Not only is this a huge moment for the franchise, but for our Pacific community and especially our younger generations, who get to see two leaders of Pacific heritage coaching the All Blacks.
“His impact at Moana Pasifika has been astounding – not just for the rugby team, but for our staff and wider community. As much as we will miss him, we wish him all the best and look forward to cheering him on in this new role.”
Umaga leaves as Moana Pasifika’s most successful coach guiding the team to within one place of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific finals, in his second season. He also coached the original Moana Pasifika pilot team which took on the Māori All Blacks in 2021.
His appointment to the All Blacks coaching staff is a significant milestone in his journey as a professional rugby coach, having previously coached in Toulon before returning home to lead the Counties Manukau Steelers, the Blues and Moana Pasifika.
Umaga has embodied Moana Pasifika’s vision of Pacific people rising, a vision reflected in his new appointment — highlighting both the value of Pacific leadership in rugby and Moana Pasifika’s role in nurturing and developing Pacific talent…. PACNEWS
PAC – FOOTBALL: OFC PACNEWS: Wed 25 Mar 2026
Road to OFC U-16 Men’s Championship 2026 starts in Tonga
NUKU’ALOFA, 25 MARCH 2026 (OFC)—One ticket to the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship 2026 will be up for grabs between four nations, when qualifying kicks off in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, at the TFA Academy today.
Hosts Tonga are joined by Vanuatu, Cook Islands and American Samoa, with each nation to play each other once in a round-robin format – the winner claiming a spot in Group B of the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship 2026 later this year.
The qualifying tournament kick-starts the 23rd edition of the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship, and will run from 25-31 March.
Tonga
Tonga are hosting OFC U-16 Men’s Championship – Qualifying for the third consecutive year, and the fourth time overall in 2026, but have never previously won the qualifying tournament despite finishing runners-up in each of the last two editions.
“We want to win the qualifying tournament this time,” says head coach Manu Tualau. “It’s very important for the development of our players. Most of the boys are under-15 and it’s a great pathway for them to be apart of.”
In front of their home fans in Nuku’alofa again, Tonga are eager to take the next step.
“It means a lot for the players to be hosting this tournament again, and they want to make their family and friends proud.”
Vanuatu
Normally regulars at the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship, Vanuatu are appearing in the qualifying tournament for just the second time.
“My main goal is for the boys to show the philosphy and playing style that we’ve been working on for the last few months,” says head coach Alvaro Lopez Pando. “I would also like to see if the boys can show some resillience, which is needed to compete internationally.”
Vanuatu drew all three of their matches at this stage last year but are looking to get back to the championship phase in 2026 – having previously finished runners-up once and third twice in previous editions of the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship.
“We are going to be facing some tough opponents and the physicality of some of them may be a challenge for us. If we stick to the game plan and philosophy though, I’m confident we can progress.”
Cook Islands
The Cook Islands are making their return to the qualifying tournament for the first time since 2018, having appeared in each of the last three editions of the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship.
“Unfortunately, we’ve had to return to this stage to reach the championship,” says head coach Jarves Aperau. “But we’re eager to prove ourselves and move up to the next level again.”
This will be their fourth appearance at the qualifying stage, and Aperau has added a couple of New Zealand-based players to bolster his squad, including captain Maui Denny.
“We’ve picked up a couple of boys from New Zealand to go with the players based at home. They’ve all been working hard, so we’re really looking forward to giving everything we’ve got in this tournament,” he said”
American Samoa
American Samoa will be out to add another international win to their resume at OFC U-16 competition, having previously only won two fixtures – both against the Cook Islands, whom they’ll meet again in Tonga.
“It’s a big challenge, but a great opportunity for us to grow and learn,” says head coach Gary Panagsagan. “We’ve focused on improving our conditioning, fitness, and discipline ahead of this tournament.”
They will be making their sixth appearance at the qualifying stage, the most of any other OFC member association.
“Some of the players are new to this level. I’ve told my players to learn from the experience. My expectation is for us to try and compete to reach the next stage,” he said….PACNEWS
PNG – RUGBY LEAGUE: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS: Wed 25 Mar 2026
ARL boss predicts sponsorships to soar, tax-free windfall for PNG Chiefs
PORT MORESBY, 25 MARCH 2026 (THE NATIONA/SMH)—Third -party sponsorship deals for the PNG Chiefs will also be tax-free and will not count under the National Rugby League (NRL) salary cap, says chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC), Peter V’landys.
This means players can earn much more money compared to playing in Australia.
V’landys revealed this during a recent interview with The Sydney Morning Herald.
“Any revenue they earn in PNG is tax-free,” V’landys said.
“It’s like you’re doing a tax return in PNG, it’s all tax-free. Playing in PNG will set them up for life.
“We used to have the Brisbane Broncos as a one-city team. This is a one-country team, where people are fanatical about rugby league.
“Can you imagine 10 million people following one team? It’s a monopoly … people don’t realise how big PNG is going to be.”
He said PNG offers something unique; a whole country supporting one team. With more than 10 million people passionate about rugby league, V’landys believes, the Chiefs could quickly become one of the most followed teams when they made their debut in 2028.
One player who could benefit greatly is Alex Johnston.
The South Sydney Rabbitohs flyer, who recently broke a long-standing try-scoring record, has shown interest in finishing his career in PNG. With his popularity, he would be highly valuable to sponsors.
Ex-NRL centre Justin Olam has already shown how strong the sponsorship market can be.
During his peak years (2021-24), he had multiple deals with big companies and earned over AUD$300,000 (almost K1m) a year.
With major PNG companies expected to support the new team, many businesses may instead sponsor individual players, creating even more earning opportunities.
For example, a top player could earn around AUD$1.5 million (US$1 million) per season, plus an extra AUD$400,000 in sponsorships. With no tax, that total income could be worth as much as AUD$3.5 million (K10.2m) compared to playing in Australia.
While some critics are unsure about PNG’s success, V’landys believes the project will transform the game and the country.
“PNG is not just building a team, it is creating a powerful financial and sporting opportunity that could change the NRL forever,” V’landys added.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs will officially enter the player market on 01 November…..PACNEWS
PNG – TAEKWONDO: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS: Wed 25 Mar 2026
Taekwondo trio off to prepare for Olympics
PORT MORESBY, 25 MARCH 2026 (THE NATIONAL)—Three Papua New Guineans are in Sydney, Australia, to train and prepare for the 2028 and 2032 Olympic Games.
Ruth Lee Paschalis, Mizirim Edward and Adrian Chan left the country on Sunday, accompanied by their coach Johnathan Paschalis.
They are participating in an international training programme under the Olympic Solidarity and World Taekwondo initiative.
PNG World Taekwondo president John Cholai said visa issues had caused delays in sending PNG’s five athletes. And the remaining two juniors will travel as soon as their visas are sorted out.
Cholai said the five are part of a long-term youth development pathway targeting future Olympic participation, particularly the Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Games.
“The youth development programme focuses on athletes aged between 14 and 18,” he said. “Our goal is to prepare them over the next few years to represent PNG at the 2028 and 2032 Olympics.”
After the Sydney training, the athletes will compete in this weekend’s Oceania Championships, from Friday to Sunday. Seventeen island nations, including Australia and New Zealand, will compete.
Upcoming events for the youngsters include the Australian Open and the President’s Cup in June, and the World Junior Olympics in Dhaka later this year.
“We thank all our supporters, especially the parents who have contributed towards passports, visas, and other expenses to prepare these athletes,” Cholai said. “We also acknowledge the support of New Ireland Governor Byron Chan.”
He also called on potential sponsors to support the federation’s development plans through training, coaching, and international exposure….PACNEWS
COOKS – TRIATHLON: COOK ISLANDS NEWS PACNEWS: Wed 25 Mar 2026
Fierce field for Women’s Triathlon race
RAROTONGA, 25 MARCH 2026 (COOK ISLANDS NEWS)—Cook Islands Triathlon Association is eagerly looking forward to the annual BSP Women’s Triathlon Race which will be held this Saturday.
A much-anticipated event in the annual calendar, the event was first run in 2006 and has become a firm favourite with the ladies on the island.
The participants will undertake a 400-metre swim, 16-kilometre cycle and 4km run.
The race record of 51:14 minutes set by Vanessa Palmer in 2009 “will be hard to beat, but a great field this year means that competition at the front will be fierce”, said Roland Neururer, president of the Cook Islands Triathlon Association (CITAI).
Teams of two or three are also welcome to enter. Ace team of Kelly Pick (swim and run) and Alyce Edwards (cycle) are the record holder in the team category, in a time of 51:40 minutes.
“This year’s field will see a great race with a couple of great battles which will be wonderful to see,” Neururer said. “Eyes will be on up-and-coming youngster Olivia Postrzygacz who will be pushing Brooke Ross, the last year’s winner.”
CITAI would like to thank their sponsors BSP and the Bond Store and the Raina Family for use of the land.
The Triathlon Association welcomes entries from all the ladies on the island who would like to join the race on Saturday. Entries are $15 per person and everyone will receive a prize on the day. Email fb1@edgewater.co.ck for more information…..PACNEWS
PNG – SWIMMING: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS: Wed 25 Mar 2026
Ryan Pini’s golden memories, 20 years ago at Melbourne’s Commonwealth Games
PORT MORESBY, 25 MARCH 2026 (THE NATIONAL)—Papua New Guinea’s golden fish and 2006 Commonwealth Games’ 100m Butterfly gold medallist, Ryan Pini, shared his story at Port Moresby’s Theodist showroom last Friday, in celebration of a milestone that he set 20 years ago in Melbourne.
Pini stood in front of Theodist employees, customers, and the media on that day (March 20), and expressed his gratitude towards Theodist to host this event to recognise the 20th anniversary since his first gold medal event for PNG in swimming.
He’s been able to look back and reflect every year since that gold medal win and coming up to 20 years later, he’s heard many stories over the years about this race and tells it’s always nice to hear those behind the scenes stories.
At the Commonwealth Games it was a huge event for Pini; a lot of nerves and focus going on in the lead-up to that competition and in the weeks before the Australian swim trials held at Melbourne’s brand new arena.
“That was my worst competition so far I was really disappointed, my times were terrible and I was trying to get my head around how I’m supposed to compete at the Commonwealth Games when I’ve just done a really bad competition,” he said.
“I had about six weeks to return home and get back into training and see what I can improve on before that competition so there’s so much going on behind the scenes a lot of mental and physical challenges in getting myself up to speed.”
Pini not only did the 100m Butterfly at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, he also swam in a number of other events which he described was really good for him to be out there and build confidence towards that big race.
“I swam really well in all of those events, every swim I was doing my personal best times and then it came to the 100m Butterfly on March 20, 2006,” he said.
Pini was aiming to swim his personal best time at that first heat and in order to do that he needed to feel comfortable when hitting the water in his first heat.
“I wanted to swim my personal best time knowing that I could get more into the semifinal so in the semis I held back a little bit coming into the wall and I qualified as the second fastest into the final in that event. But I was very confident that I could swim faster, I didn’t know how much faster, but I knew I could swim faster,” Pini said.
“I had a gold time that I wanted to accomplish out of this so I did this almost a year out from the Commonwealth Games, I’ve looked at what people were swimming and I’ve figured what it would take to win this event was a 52.60 seconds.”
Pini added this was what he was basing himself of and it’s quite a big challenge trying to accomplish this and swim over half a second faster than he’s ever swam before.
“But I thought that this would win the gold medal so that’s what I set out to achieve and I finished there at 52.64 seconds – a point 04 slower than what I wanted to achieve but you can see how much that affects how you prepare and aim towards something.”
Pini recalled the day and night before the 100m Butterfly race when he couldn’t eat nor sleep, and said it’s important to feel the nerves and have them because it’s a sign of uncertainty on how things will go.
“I was extremely nervous, pins and needles in my hands, sweating, could hardly eat or sleep the night before but I was confident in myself, I’ve done a lot of preparations and I was feeling good so I got behind the blocks and did my thing.”
“I’ve swam that event a hundred times or more before and I went out there with a strategy to go nice and fast, feeling comfortable, and just do whatever I can to bring it home for PNG,” Pini said.
Pini knew it was going to hurt and looking back, that was one of the most painful races he’s ever done.
“It felt like swimming through mud over the last 25m, I could hear the crowd and I’ve never have heard the crowd before it was a packed stadium everyone was cheering for the Australian swimmers and I could feel their presence as I was swimming – my legs were extremely painful, my stomach, my arms but I’ve managed to get in there and touched the wall first,” he said.
“That’s what I wanted to achieve I turned around and saw my time, saw the gold medal beside my name and I gathered the strength to get out the water to celebrate despite being in a lot of pain and could hardly walk.”
This is something that Pini always talks to children about especially those up and coming athletes on what they want to achieve and how to do it because there’s a whole heap of things that went in behind that (100m Butterfly) swim.
People often see the success in that moment but do not see all the preparations and years of work put in behind the scenes, and the amount of support was incredible for Pini, with his family being a big part of that, including the national federation, and the PNG Olympic Committee.
Pini said this has been an incredible milestone that he celebrates personally every year.
“Winning that gold medal at the time I had no idea about the impact that it could have and I still feel that very much today even just going to the shops being out and around the community there’s not a day or moment that goes past without someone telling me either where they were on that day (March 20, 2006), what they were doing, how they remember me in that moment, things like that,” he said.
He returned after the Commonwealth Games (2006) and was surprisingly welcomed by a crowded Jackson’s International Terminal, then a big tour around the city afterwards.
“My cheeks were sore from smiling, my arms were sore from holding up the PNG flag but people were lining up on the side of the road celebrating and that’s a memory that sticks with me ever since,” Pini said.
“I’m very lucky to share this moment in every opportunity I get so looking back now more than ever I see how sports has that impact on people – the positive impact it can make.”
Pini added sports plays a crucial role in the community itself and it also changed his perception on a lot of things because at the time he looked at that event as only accomplishing his own set of goals, but now looking back, he saw that it meant a lot more if he can inspire another person, or bring golden memories back to people on particular moments in their lives when they celebrated the moment with him 20 years ago.
Pini continues to share his experiences over the last couple of decades of sports where he is currently the PNG Swimming Inc. president.
Pini thanked Theodist for the opportunity to celebrate 20 years since he won the gold medal and giving the public an opportunity also to witness the event and see the medal up close….PACNEWS
AUST – RUGBY LEAGUE: AAP PACNEWS: Wed 25 Mar 2026
Te’o quits Broncos after Maguire fracture
BRISBANE, 25 MARCH 2026 (AAP)—Brisbane defensive coach Ben Te’o will depart the club after a disagreement with coach Michael Maguire reached a flashpoint.
Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy has confirmed the exit of the South Sydney 2014 premiership winner and former Broncos forward.
The 39-year-old had signed a contract extension until the end of 2028 after last year’s grand final win.
News Corp reported Maguire and Te’o had a disagreement over defensive tactics in Melbourne prior to Brisbane’s 18-14 comeback win on Friday night.
Ironically it was Teo’s methodology on scrambling defence, so integral to the 2025 title triumph, that played a key role in the victory after the Broncos repelled wave after wave of Storm attacks.
Maguire, football boss Troy Thomson and Te’o held a crisis meeting on Monday night.
Te’o is yet to speak on what the exact reasons for his impending exit were.
Donaghy said it was natural for “strong, robust conversations” to be held within an NRL club and the Broncos were no different.
“Ben and I sat down yesterday and had a long conversation and it was respectful. I don’t want to go into specifics out of respect for Ben,’ he said.
“We are disappointed we have reached a situation where he has tendered his resignation.
“I was very surprised I was having the conversation. We all were. Ben felt really strongly about what he was feeling and wanted to take a step outside the arena and we should respect that.
“I know for a fact Madge (Maguire) is pained by it because he deeply cares for his people and has a long relationship with Ben.”
Donaghy said Te’o’s contribution to the title win last year was “exceptional” and there were “internal and external” options to replace him.
When asked whether Maguire was difficult to work with, Donaghy said the coach had done the job he had been signed to do and had the entire organisation working in an upward trajectory, as evidenced by the 2025 premiership win.
Brisbane players Ben Talty and Brendan Piakura faced the media on Tuesday morning after news of the Te’o fallout broke.
Talty, a late blooming prop,’ said Te’o was “a fantastic coach”.
“He is our defence coach and we try to pride ourselves on our defence as a team,” he said.
Second-rower Piakura has gone ahead leaps and bounds under Te’o with his defensive clout a highlight of his game. Te’o, also a feared back-rower in his day, had taken the powerhouse forward under his wing.
“He’s done really well for me, just learning off him,” Piakura said.
“He was a great player and a great coach as well. We won a grand final with him. He’s our defence coach and us players really took his practices into the game.”
Te’o’s exit is a great loss for the Broncos who have made a name for themselves under his tutelage as a side that defends at their best in the big moments.
They conceded just 10 points in the second halves of the three finals they won last year, including keeping two clean sheets in the second 40 minutes against Penrith and Melbourne in the preliminary final and grand final.
Te’o was integral to the Rabbitohs’ win in the 2014 decider under Maguire after playing one of best games of his career in the preliminary final against the Sydney Roosters.
The Broncos host the Dolphins on Friday night in the ‘Battle of Brisbane’ with prop Payne Haas (AC joint) to miss the clash….PACNEWS
AUST – RUGBY LEAGUE: AAP PACNEWS: Wed 25 Mar 2026
Broncos suffer huge injury blow but Reynolds returns
BRISBANE, 25 MARCH 2026 (AAP)—Brisbane’s hopes of winning the derby clash with the Dolphins have been rocked with star prop Payne Haas ruled out with a shoulder injury.
In other surprise team news, the Warriors have named gun playmaker Luke Metcalf to return three weeks early from his anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Star forward Haas suffered a knock to an AC joint in the 18-14 win over Melbourne and the Broncos have taken no risks with him ahead of what will be a gruelling season for the NSW and Samoa representative.
They do get captain Adam Reynolds back from a rib injury for Friday night’s clash at Suncorp Stadium. The veteran has been named at halfback with Ben Hunt, who played No.7 against the Storm, reverting to the bench.
New Zealand international Xavier Willison takes the place of Haas in the front row while barnstorming second-rower Brendan Piakura has been elevated to the starting side after shining off the bench against the Storm.
Metcalf had initially been expected back from his ACL injury in round seven but has been listed to partner in-form Tanah Boyd in the halves for Friday’s clash with Wests Tigers.
A favourite for the Dally M Medal before his injury last season, Metcalf is set to enhance a Warriors side that has impressed in an unbeaten start to 2026.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Chanel Harris-Tavita are on the team list following head knocks and Adam Pompey returns from personal leave in further boosts for the Kiwi side.
Jock Madden replaces the injured Jarome Luai in the Tigers’ starting halves for his first game since 2024.
But highly rated playmaker Latu Fainu is listed among the reserves so could make a late charge into the side following off-season shoulder surgery.
St George Illawarra have opted against naming Ryan Couchman on their team sheet ahead of Tuesday night’s judiciary hearing over a hip-drop tackle.
Young forward Loko Pasifiki Tonga has been named on the bench to face Gold Coast only days after leaving training in an ambulance following a neck injury.
Electric five-eighth Fletcher Sharpe is set to face Canterbury after recovering from the knee injury he suffered during Newcastle’s season opener in Las Vegas.
Second-rower Briton Nikora misses Cronulla’s clash against Canberra with a broken nose but is a chance to be fit for round five.
Teig Wilton replaces the Kiwi international in the back row after making his return from a shoulder injury last week.
Billy Smith has recovered from the concussion he suffered in an e-bike accident so will replace Junior Pauga for the Sydney Roosters’ clash against Daly Cherry-Evans’ former side Manly.
The Sea Eagles have stuck solid with the same starting side that suffered a disastrous loss to reigning wooden spooners Newcastle in round two…..PACNEWS