He's the rugby league convert that hasn't had as much said about him as one Sam Burgess, but rumours that he'd been about to join Sam in a rugby league reunion have been abound since Burgess' high profile deflection.
The Rabbittohs have long been linked as the destination for Te'o, so he can reunite with Burgess. But Te'o has done significantly better in union, away from the spotlight that underlined Burgess.
After an injury disrupted first season, Te'o has improved playing centre for Leinster this season, featuring at the top of the "defenders beaten" stats for the Pro 12. So when rumours that he was leaving the province at the end of the season came up last night, what did Te'o have to say about them?
In terms of the game of rugby union, it was a hard transition and at times there were thoughts about whether I’d be suited to go back to league. But I think I’m really enjoying rugby union and I probably want to stick around.
End of discussion about his rugby league future - but that doesn't mean that his union future is sorted. The Samoan rugby league international would be eligible for a number of countries in union - Samoa, Australia, England - and only needs another season in Ireland to be naturalised.
Given Te'o's desire to stay in this code, and his improvement - there's probably no real surprise that he's attracting interested from England and Australia - where he would be eligible for international rugby immediately. Te'o's Leinster contract is up at the end of the year, and with Noel Reid and Garry Ringrose impressing, and Robbie Henshaw heavily linked with a move east - most assume that Te'o won't be here come August.
For his part, Te'o remains tightlipped on the subject:
That’s something that I’m in the process of sorting out.
The one thing Leinster have going for them in trying to retain Te'o's services is that the centre has appeared to assimilate himself well into the squad, and is enjoying his rugby:
I did enjoy last year. I’m feeling a lot more comfortable this year after doing a full pre-season. I’m enjoying every game I get to get out there in the midfield and mix it up with some of the great teams that we play.
Would you want Te'o to stay? We had him making the Ireland squad in 2019.
