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Greg Growden | July 4, 2009
THE cash-strapped Waratahs, who have just lost their biggest drawcard, Lote Tuqiri, will have to search overseas for attacking players to bolster their dwindling back-line stocks next season.
The NSW Rugby Union has endorsed the Australian Rugby Union's stance in sacking Tuqiri this week, following an investigation into a breach of Wallabies team protocol, which is understood to revolve around a recent incident at the team hotel.
However, the NSWRU is concerned Tuqiri's departure may hit it hard on the field and the balance sheet. Due to the NSWRU confronting an anticipated financial loss for the current year, Waratahs officials have recently been forced to undergo a widespread cost-cutting exercise to keep the organisation buoyant.
The loss of Tuqiri does not dramatically ease their salary bill, because most of his salary was paid by the ARU.
As NSWRU chairman Ed Zemancheff told the Herald yesterday: "We've had to cut back at the NSWRU and if I go any further we go into cartilage and bone.
"This will mean the Waratahs having a restricted player list next season. Due to the financial situation, we won't be going next year with the full complement of contracted professional players. It will be less than the number we're entitled to. It's becoming a really big issue for us. And losing Lote has an impact both on and off the field for us.
"We're executing a whole lot of strategies at the moment to soften the [financial] blow. It wasn't a great year this season, but it won't be a disaster. It could have been worse. Next year will be really tough, because we will have one less home game.
"Lote's departure has come out of the blue and we are looking at the options. Like everyone, we don't have much money, but we will have to find someone at an appropriate level to replace him. Nonetheless, Lote is going to be a hard act to follow."
The NSWRU, which relies heavily on the home gate to bolster its finances, knows that Tuqiri lures thousands of spectators to their matches and he was often the star of their promotional campaigns.
There is also the danger of the Waratahs becoming less competitive without Tuqiri, which also lowers the team's crowd appeal, especially with doubts whether can they can adequately cover his loss.
Waratahs coach Chris Hickey said yesterday he was searching for two outside backs and hoping to convince the NSWRU board he can have at least a 29-man squad.
The Waratahs depth in the wing department is not overflowing, especially as Drew Mitchell was recruited from the Western Force to take over the fullback spot, left vacant by Sam Norton-Knight's departure. Mitchell may now be forced to accompany Lachie Turner on the wings, with Kurtley Beale instead used at No.15. But if the Waratahs suffer widespread back-line injuries, they will be caught well short.
"It's disappointing to lose Lote and we're still getting our head around the fact he won't be here," Hickey said. "We have a bit of flexibility, but for the balance of the squad we believed we needed one more back to give us the coverage we needed. We may finish up looking at one experienced player and a young up-and-comer.
"In Australia, most of the contracting is now done and dusted, and there isn't too many options there. We are always receiving inquiries from overseas from players, so we may have to look at that."
Tuqiri yesterday revealed on Twitter that he was weighing up whether to return to rugby league or play rugby overseas. "Don't know how long all this legal football will take so got to look beyond. OS Rugby or Rugby League???," he posted.
Tuqiri wrote that he had left Sydney on Thursday night.
Meanwhile, there is still a chance Reds five-eighth Berrick Barnes may be lured to Sydney.
"He would be a great asset for the Waratahs. But we want a player who wants to be here," Hickey said.
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