LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Wayne Bennett has issued Valynce Te Whare an ultimatum after he returned to pre-season training 'too heavy'.
The Dolphins coach has stood down the 23-year-old and sent him to a personal boot camp in an attempt to save his NRL career.
Te Whare has been ordered to spend a fortnight with trainer Mark 'Chopper' Burgess in Brisbane's humid heat, with Bennett telling the youngster he must lose around 10kg before he is allowed to return to the training group.
The Dolphins centre enjoyed a breakout season in 2023 and quickly became a fan favourite on the back of his strong running game and big personality but his future in the NRL is now in jeopardy.
Bennett warned Te Whare that if he isn't able to get his weight under control he will ruin his NRL career.
"I've sent Val away to get fitter - that's the situation," Bennett told News Corp.
"He came back to pre-season way too heavy and too unfit to play NRL at that body weight.
He is doing no ball work with us at the moment, the priority is to get him fit, so I've asked (Mark) 'Chopper' Burgess to help out." Te Whare's contract is set to expire at the end of 2024 and he is taking part in a rigorous training program under the guidance of Burgess in an attempt to shed the necessary weight.
Burgess is a highly-respected conditioner who has worked with some of Australia's top stars.
He has the Dolphins centre training twice a day, which includes running Mount Coot-Tha's steep hills.
"At this level, you can't carry too much extra weight, not the way the game is played now," Bennett said.
"You can't hide out there - you need a huge amount of fitness to make it in the NRL.
Val reminds me of Dave Taylor - a former Broncos and Queensland Origin forward nicknamed 'The Coal Train'."