Duncan calls on Te’o to play big role over Xmas
BEN Te’o’s value to Worcester will be apparent over the forthcoming block of Premiership matches, insists head coach Rory Duncan.
The Warriors have seen little of their star centre this season, with Te’o recovering from quadriceps surgery to play just 33 minutes of their Challenge Cup match against Ospreys in October before being called-up for England duty.
Te’o, who joined Worcester in 2016, has spent the last fortnight in New Zealand amid speculation over a summer move to France.
Duncan told TRP: “Alan Solomons looks after all the contract stuff but Ben,
below, will be back this week so it will be great to have a player of his experience and calibre ahead of an important block of games.
“He played against the Ospreys, then went off with England and he’s had to get some EPS rest at the end of it, which is why we let him go home. He’s clear now though and he’ll want to play a big part for us over the next month.”
Worcester are among a sixstrong pack jostling to get into the top half and former Cheetahs coach Duncan admits he has never experienced such a battle. He said: “My experience of the PRO14 helped me adapt to the Premiership but the difference is there are no ‘easier’ games. “You just don’t get that in the Premiership where every game is like a Test match, but I enjoy that competitiveness and the players love it. There are four points separating six clubs so nobody’s in any sort of comfort zone.” Warriors are boosted by the availability of former Hurricanes and Auckland lock Michael Fatialofa, fresh from helping Auckland to their first NPC title since 2007. Duncan added: “Michael is an explosive athlete, good with the ball in hand and he’s shown he has a fair amount of skill. “Defensively he organises things well and he’s quick off the line, so it’s good timing to have someone like him available.”