Tuqiri Stays Put

Lote fuss about nothing

By Toby Forage
FOXSPORTS.com.au editor
March 12, 2007

LOTE Tuqiri as decided to stay put at the Australian Rugby Union after rejecting a final offer from South Sydney NRL club thought to be worth in the region of $1 million.

Tuqiri put pen to paper with the ARU and New South Wales Waratahs on a new five-year deal before the 5pm (AEDT) deadline he was set today by the national governing body.

The Tuqiri saga has been dragging on for weeks, with the star wing courted at one stage by the Sharks, Gold Coast Titans and the Rabbitohs with a view to switching back to the 13-man code.

Tuqiri formerly played league for Brisbane Broncos and Australia before switching codes to join New South Wales Waratahs in 2002.

He was an integral part of the Wallabies' 2003 Rugby World Cup squad, which was beaten in the final in Sydney by England.

Tuqiri at one stage had the opportunity to not only stay with rugby union, but also to move back to Queensland to play for former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones at Queensland Reds.

However, he elected to change absolutely nothing, bringing the lengthy saga to a merciful close.

I'm just glad it's over.

sick of hearing about it

get a haircut lote

Well I'm really glad it's over but I'm also pleased for the Tahs.

I hope he doesn't make the Wallabies squad though. I have no love or respect for him anymore.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jess

Well I'm really glad it's over but I'm also pleased for the Tahs.

I hope he doesn't make the Wallabies squad though. I have no love or respect for him anymore.

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I couldn't have put it better myself.

YAY! Lote is staying! Lote is NUMBER ONE!! in capitols!! Im so happy I could wee my pants..too late!

English is such a mule? Has he resigned as in finished or re-signed?

i hope he can get back to his old form were he was good he could be a great player in the world cup im sure he can get back up there just need to focus and train very hard.

i like his hair wish i had hair like that.

he must be a shoe-in for the RWC squad, otherwise why would the ARU even care whether he played rugby or league

I think he's had his day. He was great, almost as good a transition from League to proper rugby as Rogers, in his day. We (Wallabies) now have so many options besides Lote that he should move on.

So it makes me wonder if ARU has promised he's in the RWC touring squad?

and they have him for 2011 too :confused: