--- title: "NRL's Tallest Giant Chases NFL Millions, Following Mailata's Blueprint" description: "Ben Te Kura, a 6-foot-9, 268-pound Australian, has been released by the Brisbane Broncos to bet on himself in American football." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/6-foot-9-268-pound-aussie-ben-te-kura-quits-rugby-to-pursue-fa167262 published: 2026-07-03T03:44:10.162+00:00 updated: 2026-07-03T03:44:10.162+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["football", "rugby"] --- # NRL's Tallest Giant Chases NFL Millions, Following Mailata's Blueprint > Ben Te Kura, a 6-foot-9, 268-pound Australian, has been released by the Brisbane Broncos to bet on himself in American football. Ben Te Kura, the tallest player in National Rugby League history, has been released by the Brisbane Broncos to chase an NFL contract, betting his rare 6-foot-9, 268-pound frame can be molded into the next great offensive tackle. The 22-year-old Australian is following the blueprint of Philadelphia Eagles star Jordan Mailata, another former rugby league prospect who transformed himself into a $64 million NFL lineman. Te Kura's immediate plan is to bulk up significantly for the rigors of the line of scrimmage, with his youth and raw athleticism offering a tantalizing, high-upside project for NFL scouts. Te Kura's departure from the NRL is a direct result of the NFL's financial allure, where even a practice squad salary can dwarf top-tier rugby league earnings. His release from the Broncos, where he played just one NRL game in 2024, clears the path for an intensive training regimen focused on American football fundamentals. The timeline for his transition is aggressive, with the goal of being ready for NFL workouts and potential international pathway program opportunities in the coming year. 'He sees the pathway that Jordan Mailata has created and believes he can do something similar,' a source close to the player said, highlighting the inspirational model. Mailata's journey from a rugby league rookie with no football experience to a Super Bowl-caliber left tackle is the exact roadmap Te Kura aims to replicate, proving the positional translation is possible with elite size and coachability. What's next: Te Kura will immediately begin a specialized strength and technique program in preparation for NFL evaluations. His success hinges on a team's willingness to invest years of development into a raw but physically unique athlete, a gamble that paid off spectacularly for the Philadelphia Eagles with Mailata. ## Why this matters This move underscores the NFL's growing power as a global talent vacuum, systematically poaching elite physical specimens from other sports. Rugby league, which produces powerful, agile big men, has become a prime hunting ground. Every successful conversion like Jordan Mailata makes the league more aggressive in pursuing these projects, fundamentally altering how some international athletes view their career ceilings and financial futures. ## Frequently asked ### How tall is Ben Te Kura? Ben Te Kura is 6 feet 9 inches tall (approximately 206 cm), making him the tallest player in the history of Australia's National Rugby League (NRL). ### What NRL team did Ben Te Kura play for? Te Kura played for the Brisbane Broncos. He was granted a release from his contract to pursue his NFL opportunity. ### Who is Jordan Mailata? Jordan Mailata is an Australian offensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles. He was a 7th-round NFL draft pick in 2018 after playing rugby league, and has since become a star, signing a $64 million contract extension. ### What position will Ben Te Kura play in the NFL? Te Kura is targeting the offensive tackle position, the same spot Jordan Mailata plays. His immense height and wingspan are ideal physical traits for protecting the quarterback's blind side. ### Has an NRL player successfully switched to the NFL before? Yes. Jordan Mailata is the prime and most successful example. His journey from an NRL prospect with the South Sydney Rabbitohs to an NFL star is the direct inspiration for Te Kura's career move. ### How old is Ben Te Kura? Ben Te Kura is 22 years old, which is considered young for an NFL prospect, giving teams time to develop his skills. ## Sources & Citations - [6-foot-9, 268-pound Aussie Ben Te Kura quits rugby to pursue NFL career](https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/6-foot-9-268-pound-aussie-ben-te-kura-quits-rugby-to-pursue-nfl-career) — Pro Football Talk (2026-07-02) --- Cite: NRL's Tallest Giant Chases NFL Millions, Following Mailata's Blueprint. Sportopod, 2026-07-03. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/6-foot-9-268-pound-aussie-ben-te-kura-quits-rugby-to-pursue-fa167262