Te’o warns Farrell: I’m aiming to be a starter

Ben Te’o has warned fellow British & Lions No.12 hopefuls Owen Farrell and Robbie Henshaw he aims to be a starter during the three-Test series against New Zealand.
Auckland-born Te’o, 30, was a shock call-up for the Lions on the back of just eight games for England, which, barring a rare start against Italy, saw him impress from the replacements bench as one of Red Rose boss Eddie Jones‘ renowned gang of ‘finishers’.
However, the former Rugby League man, who cut his Union teeth at Leinster before switching to Worcester last summer, is eyeing a more influential role with the Lions.
Te’o told The Rugby Paper: “You’re always striving to be starter. You want to be on at the beginning of games when the most important, physical confrontations are happening.
“If you get the role of ‘finisher’, as has mainly been the case with England so far, you have to change your approach and make sure you aid the team and help the guys prepare, but I’m not aiming to make a career out of being a finisher.
“There’s loads of things to go through with the Lions. First  I’ve got to stay healthy and actually get on the tour, then train well and try to impress in the games against the representative and Super Rugby teams, but I really want to be starting.”
Te’o added: “All Lions tours are special, but if you could pick one I couldn’t think of anything better than lining up against the world champion All Blacks.
“I’ve got my mum and dad back in New Zealand so it will be great to play there, especially with two Tests being in Auckland. My dad hasn’t seen me play Rugby Union live so it would be fantastic to have him supporting me.”
While Farrell, below, is one of the favourites to don the No.12 jersey alongside Ireland fly-half Jonny Sexton, Te’o said: “We’re different players. Owen plays ten for his club and 12 at international level, so he does a lot of distributing and has a great kicking game. Myself, I’m probably more of a runner who breaks the line and offloads.
“Owen’s obviously got a lot more experience in the Union game than I do, but we compete pretty hard in training with England and it will be quite a contest for that No.12 jersey with Robbie Henshaw in there as well.”
Of the relationship he has developed with Red Rose colleague Farrell, Te’o adds: “We actually get on really well and I’ve spent a lot of time with him, both in training and in between when we hang out for coffee and chew the fat.
“Owen was one of my first roommates when I got into the England camp and there’s a lot of things we talk about. His dad (Andy) is a Rugby League legend and he follows the game closely, so we’ve a lot in common there.
“It’s great that 16 England guys are going on this tour because I’ve become close with a lot of them. I know quite a few of the Leinster lads as well so it’s going to be a good group in New Zealand.”
Beyond the Lions, and having overcome the frustration of blowing a Six Nations Grand Slam in March, Te’o is targeting World Cup success with England.
He said: “Dublin was disappointing. I know we won the Six Nations but it wasn’t a nice feeling coming home after losing to Ireland and I was even more disappointed personally after coming on and then getting a head knock.
“But that’s rugby, you’ve got to accept it and learn from it and the main thing Eddie Jones stresses to us is that 2019 is the big goal.
“Everything in between is important but you want to be preparing for the World Cup, which is why Eddie’s keen not to rush me. He’s letting me learn on the job, building up my minutes and letting me be myself and play that way.
“I’ve still got things to work on but I did okay with Leinster, I’m getting good experience with Worcester and England now and the more time I spend in Rugby Union, the more I’m picking up and the more comfortable I feel.
“The Lions will only add to that experience.”
Te’o’s first Premiership campaign with Worcester was disrupted by injury and he admits the departure of former boss Dean Ryan was also a blow.
A good finish to the season under Gary Gold has transformed the mood, however, with Te’o explaining: “When Dean left everything was a bit unknown and it stalled.
“But Gary Gold, in partnership with Edward Griffiths, has really picked up the ball. Fingers crossed, we’ll have a real crack over the next two years.”
NEALE HARVEY