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Eddie Jones' snubbing will likely see Ben Te'o leave England
By Ian Cameron
Snubbed England centre Ben Te’o will likely depart England following his apparent Rugby World Cup snubbing at the hands of Eddie Jones.
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Te’o is currently ‘unattached’ but has been linked with a move back to the Southern Hemisphere after Worcester Warriors confirmed he would be departing the club last April.
The former NRL star has also been linked with clubs in Japan and France.
In France, Racing 92, Toulouse and Toulon have all been reported to have expressed interest in the centre, while the Sunwolves in Japan are also said to be eager to add him to their team in what will be their final Super Rugby Season.
However, it is his native Australia that is the most likely destination for the blockbusting centre.
The Auckland born Te’o is thought to he be a target of Brad Thorn at the Queensland Reds. The Reds are set to lose Samu Kerevi to Japan at the end of the season and it seems Thorn views Te’o as the perfect replacement for the departing centre.
The now 32-year-old joined Warriors from Leinster three years ago and has won 20 international caps, two for the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand two years ago, during his time at Sixways.
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He made a total of just 36 first-team appearances for Warriors in three season. He scored eight tries.
Born in New Zealand to an English mother, Te’o has 18 caps for England and featured for the British and Irish Lions in their Test series versus New Zealand in 2017.
But with the former South Sydney Rabbitoh set to turn 33 before the 2020 Six Nations, the Rugby World Cup in Japan would likely have been his last hurrah for his adopted country.
There is some hope for Te’o’s England chances. Jones said of those left out of the 33-man squad for Wales: “Players excluded from being involved in this camp are naturally disappointed but may get another opportunity so they must be ready.”
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Leaving selection aside, Te’o’s ability to cover both centre positions could see him involved as an injury replacement even if he doesn’t make the 31-man plane.
