Tuqiri open to rugby union return

[The InnFORCEr]

Ian McCullough,
AAP
Updated August 26, 2013, 11:42 am


Lote Tuqiri hasn't ruled out the prospect of returning to rugby union with the former dual international set to make an announcement on his future in the next month.

Tuqiri is off-contract with the Wests Tigers at the end of the season and been told by the NRL club there's unlikely to be a new deal on the table.

The powerful winger has played in the Tigers' last two games having spent the best part of two years out of the game due to complications stemming from a broken arm.

And having struggled to get himself fit again the 33-year-old isn't ready to hang up his boots and keen to stay in the NRL or potentially have another stint in the 15-man code.

"I am going alright and if it's not here at the Tigers then it will probably have to be somewhere else," Tuqiri said.

"I am sifting through a few things at the moment and hopefully have something for everyone in the next couple of weeks.

"There are a few things there, I will just have to weigh them up with the family and take it from there."

Tuqiri, along with Wendell Sailor and Mat Rogers were tempted away from the NRL at the turn of the century to play for the Wallabies in the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

Tuqiri joined the NSW Waratahs on a lucrative deal from Brisbane Broncos, then spent time with English giants Leicester before linking up with the Tigers in 2010.

Although he and his young family are well settled in Sydney Tuqiri's open-minded about the prospect of moving inter-state or potentially overseas with Japanese rugby, who've long coveted his services, a possibility.

But the former Queensland star said the uncertainty surrounding his future isn't something that's concerned him.

"That's (rugby) an option as well, having some experience in it and we'll just see how the next few weeks pan out," he said.

"I have struggled in the past with the weight of expectation around contract-time but I am older now and I can just go out there and enjoy myself.

"I have put two games together now and hopefully I can see out the season. It's been a tough two years with injuries but hopefully I am over all that bad luck."

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...-rugby-return/

[PeterM]

Time to say goodbye Lote Tuqiri

[GAFFA]

Time to say goodbye Lote Tuqiri

Japan maybe

[AndyS]

I'm sure the Shute Shield will be happy to have him back...

[rugby_lover]

All I will say is that he is 34 in September, and a winger. Yes there have been older wingers who've still offered something. Will he? I wish him luck though

[jargan83]

Japan maybe

Some Japanese club just signed Andrew Everingham from Souff Sinney on a huge deal

Mind you Everingham has an Asian passport

WINGER Andrew Everingham will become the second NRL player poached by Japanese rugby through an Asian passport, following in the footsteps of Craig Wing.

Everingham will join second-division club Fukuoka Sanix Blues in October on a massive deal worth nearly $500,000 a year, a significant leap from his annual $130,000 Souths salary.

Everingham was able to qualify as an Asian player courtesy of his Filipino passport, which makes him valuable in a competition where clubs can only field three non-Asian players at any time.

The Sanix Blues have also recruited new Waratahs signing Jacques Potgieter, who will play in Japan until February before joining his NSW teammates in Sydney.

With luck, Everingham could even play in the 2015 World Cup, with the Philippines still in contention in the Asian playoffs.

While Japan is heavily favoured to win that place, the runner-up of the five-nation battle will go into the Repechage playoff for the 20th and final place in the World Cup.

Everingham’s defection follows a big clean-out at the Rabbitohs, who are feeling the pinch of the salary cap as the team dominates the competition and key players are upgraded to ward off poachers.

It has seen the club shed several other players already, including another talented outside back, Justin Hunt, who yesterday announced a three-year deal with Parramatta.

Others who are leaving the Burrow include Roy Asotasi, Nathan Peats and Dylan Farrell, while winger Matt King will retire at the end of the year.

For Everingham, who played rugby at school and represented the Philippines in a rugby Sevens tournament in 2011, the move to Sanix Blues will happen immediately following his commitments with the Rabbitohs, who will feature in the finals.

Former notable players at the Japanese club include former All Blacks and league hardman Brad Thorn, and former All Black winger Caleb Ralph.

Sanix Blues are attempting to regain their place in the first division Top League, after finishing last on the table for the 2012-13 season.

They must play regional teams in a relegation playoff in order to remain in the tournament.

Having won just one of their 13 games last season, Sanix Blues are desperate for more attacking potency and Everingham will be a key purchase for them considering he will not count among the foreign contingency in the squad, which now includes Potgieter and former Kiwi Super Rugby prop Ben May.

Everingham’s career breakthrough came when his manager Chris Haddad sent a DVD highlights package to various league clubs and he was snapped up by Souths coach Michael Maguire.

The 26-year-old Everingham has 21 tries from 40 NRL games after making his debut in March 2012.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/s...-1226700168882

[sittingbison]

having spent the best part of two years out of the game due to complications stemming from a broken arm and having struggled to get himself fit again the 33-year-old isn't ready to hang up his boots

The 26-year-old Everingham has 21 tries from 40 NRL games after making his debut in March 2012

spot the differences