The San Francisco 49ers conducted a workout with 22-year-old Australian rugby player Ben Te Kura during their recent visit to Melbourne, exploring his potential as an offensive tackle. Te Kura, who stands 6-foot-9 and weighs 269 pounds, is aiming to become one of the few former professional rugby players to transition to the NFL.
Te Kura was granted his release from his National Rugby League club, the Brisbane Broncos, in July to pursue an NFL career. He has previously worked out with the Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, and Miami Dolphins. The 49ers are seeking to develop a future successor for their veteran left tackle, Trent Williams.
Te Kura possesses physical attributes that would place him among the largest players in the NFL. He shares similar physical traits with Philadelphia Eagles left tackle Jordan Mailata, who also began his career in Australian rugby before joining the NFL via the International Player Pathway program. Mailata, 6-foot-8 and 365 pounds, had no prior football experience before his rugby career in Australia.
Te Kura's professional rugby background distinguishes him, as he played at Australia's highest level of the sport. Jarryd Hayne, who played eight games for the 49ers in 2015, is another notable Australian to transition to the NFL from professional rugby, though he was 27 at the time and primarily played as a backup running back and on special teams.
The 49ers' interest in Te Kura highlights their strategy of looking for talent in unconventional places. While the workout did not immediately result in a contract, Te Kura could be a candidate for the practice squad as an International Pathway player, a program designed to help international athletes reach the NFL.