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Former Wallabies coach John Connolly is behind an audacious plot to exploit a legal loophole and recruit Lote Tuqiri to play for Queensland Reds.
Tuqiri was sacked by the Australian Rugby Union in July and is unable to be registered as a professional rugby player in Australia but can still play as an amateur.
It is understood Connolly's proposal involves Tuqiri signing on for the Reds as an amateur while receiving a salary from a third-party benefactor.
The theory is the ARU is party to all contracts for professional players but does not have jurisdiction over amateurs.
A Queensland Rugby Union official confirmed he was aware of the proposal but directed enquiries to chairman Rod McCall, who did not return calls.
Legal opinion on the matter was mixed on whether the proposal would circumvent the ban placed on the dual international by the ARU.
And three separate player managers, who did not wish to be named, were sceptical the deal could be done . . . but all suggested it was worth exploring.
The incentive-based deal could earn the former Wallabies winger $350,000 a year, made up of a retainer of $200,000 and match payments of $10,000.
It is more than he could hope to earn if he returned to the NRL but well short of the riches on offer in French or Japanese rugby.
French club Bayonne has pulled out of negotiations because the asking price of $800,000 was too steep but The Courier-Mail has reported another club was still in talks with Tuqiri's management.
Tuqiri reached a settlement with the ARU in August following the termination of his $2 million contract and the outcome was widely believed to have ended his professional rugby career in Australia.
The ARU sacked Tuquiri on July 1 and ARU boss John O'Neill has refused to reveal the nature of Tuqiri's breach.
At the time O'Neill ruled out the possibility of Tuqiri joining the 15th Super side, which will be based in Melbourne and enter the competition in 2011.
"His contract that we terminated would have expired at the end of 2012 and the ARU has to be a party to all contracts in Australia for professional players, therefore there won't be an opportunity for Lote to play for that fifth team," O'Neill said.
In a further snub to ARU chief executive O'Neill, the Reds remain interested in signing Connolly as an interim head coach for next season.
O'Neill and Connolly are known to have a tense working relationship.
Connolly, who was dumped by the Reds in 2000 after 12 seasons in charge, and former New South Wales Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie were interviewed by Reds officials on Friday.
It is widely believed the QRU is considering appointing Connolly for the 2010 season to warm the hot seat for his long-time lieutenant Michael Foley who is now serving as NSW's forwards coach.
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