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Lote Tuqiri officially signs with Wests Tigers

ucantseeme

Juniors
Messages
1,729
Tigers confirm Tuqiri signing
BRAD WALTER

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/tigers-confirm-tuqiri-signing-20100204-nfiu.html
February 4, 2010 - 4:20PM

lotetuqiri-420x0.jpg
Lote Tuqiri playing for Leicester. Photo: Getty Images

Wests Tigers have secured the services of Tuqiri for the next three seasons.
In one of the biggest signings in its 11-year-history, Wests Tigers CEO Stephen Humphreys secured Tuqiri’s signature in Leicester this week.
Humphreys said securing Tuqiri was a great endorsement for Wests Tigers and the club’s prospects for the future.

“We made it clear early on that should Lote be interested in returning to rugby league, then Wests Tigers were keen to accommodate him,’’ Humphreys said. “This club is about developing our local juniors to first grade but it is also good to attract high quality talent.
“Lote attracted significant interest from European rugby clubs who have greater financial resources than we do.”

Tuqiri said he was glad to have his future settled and was looking forward to joining Wests Tigers.

“There was plenty of speculation about my next career move. I was really appreciative of the interest I received from a number of clubs which made my decision that much harder,’’ Tuqiri said. “I really appreciate the fact Stephen came to Leicester to meet with my family. We had a really good talk about a range of things which greatly assisted us in making the decision we have now made.

"I enjoyed my time in rugby union immensely and have been very fortunate to have made many great friends through my time in the code. The Leicester Tigers have been terrific to me and my family and we will never forget the warm hospitality they and their supporters have shown us.
“I’m really excited to return to the NRL. There is no question it is one of the toughest sporting competitions in the world and I am confident Wests Tigers will enjoy great success in the coming years.

“The opportunity to play under the most experienced coach in the game in Tim Sheens was a major factor in my decision. Wests Tigers is a club with a great culture and a terrific roster of players. I am thrilled to be joining them.”

Wests Tigers Coach Tim Sheens was excited to have secured a quality player like Tuqiri.

“Lote’s experience and ability will bring an X-factor to Wests Tigers,’’ Sheens said. “He has achieved more than most footballers and to have someone of his calibre in our team is a great addition to an already impressive squad of talented players.

“I know one of the main driving reasons behind Lote’s decision is that he is very keen to break back into representative footy, something other players coming back from rugby union have been unable to do of late.”

Tuqiri will complete his commitments with Leicester by the end of March before returning to Australia to join Wests Tigers
 

super_coach

First Grade
Messages
5,061
Well well well, the mystery is over "Kosta A Lote" finally puts pen to paper. At first I thought the money should have been directed at a gun front rower, Iam now comming around to the idea of having a cool head in the backline. Just maybe his experience is going to turn a lot of those fifty fifty games around that we tend to loose. Anyway he is with us now so lets hope the club can milk him for all the exposure they can get
 

DanOz

Juniors
Messages
1,419
“The opportunity to play under the most experienced coach in the game in Tim Sheens was a major factor in my decision."

Hopefully he has a get out clause so if Sheens doesn't play Moltzen at halfback and we miss the semi's for the 5th year in a row he can leave when they punt Sheens.

I hope to god Lote smears egg all over my face, but I just can't fathom spending big dollars on someone who is old, hasnt played league in years, is a former winger and won't even give us an off season.
 

gallagher

Juniors
Messages
1,800
Great news and a huge coup for the club, well done to all involved. I cant see why anyone would be against it except those wanting us to have a bad season therfore removing Sheens.
 

gallagher

Juniors
Messages
1,800
I gave 5 reasons - you dont have to agree with them.


None of them are reasons not to sign a player. No talent or being a ratbag are reasons. Not turning up to training is another.

Being 30,being a winger, no off season training and being a former rah rah are not reasons to not sign someone.

You either dislike the guy, have terrible player judgment or as I said just want us to have another bad season so Sheens gets the sack.
 

DanOz

Juniors
Messages
1,419
None of them are reasons not to sign a player. No talent or being a ratbag are reasons. Not turning up to training is another.

Being 30,being a winger, no off season training and being a former rah rah are not reasons to not sign someone.

You either dislike the guy, have terrible player judgment or as I said just want us to have another bad season so Sheens gets the sack.

I don't dislike the guy, I just dont want him for the reasons I have stated. Time will tell which one of us has terrible player judgement, for the record I hope you are right. I don't think any Tigers fan wants them to have a bad season, but if we do, yes I want Sheens to get the sack. We will have to agree to disagree I think.
 

Magpies Forever

Juniors
Messages
2,208
Welcome to the WT Lote.

Huge expectations are on your shoulders. I cant say I was enthusiastic at your potential signing and the long drawn out shenanigans of will you or wont you but now you are on board you are one of the team. Good luck.
 

hybrid_tiger

Coach
Messages
11,684
I hope to god Lote smears egg all over my face, but I just can't fathom spending big dollars on someone who is old, hasnt played league in years, is a former winger and won't even give us an off season.

If he wasn't playing fair enough, but he's been playing Union for months, so he's match fit. Its not as if he'll turn up out of shape or overweight.

And besides, he's signed for three years, so he will give us two off seasons during that time.
 

braz

Juniors
Messages
450
Great Signing for the Club!!!!.

Hello Chris Lawrence :D

You've posted this a few times now.

Is this because Lawrence's grandad is a south's life member or because rusty has a hard on for him??

Or are you just full of sh*t??

I'm sure the tigers would shed at least a dozen players to prevent from losing Chris Lawrence.
 

DanOz

Juniors
Messages
1,419
If he wasn't playing fair enough, but he's been playing Union for months, so he's match fit. Its not as if he'll turn up out of shape or overweight.

And besides, he's signed for three years, so he will give us two off seasons during that time.

I dont think match fitness in Union compares to league. I didnt realise we signed him for 3 years either - the most I would have liked to have seen was 2 years.
 

magpie_man

Juniors
Messages
1,973
like 2005, i think this will prove to be a defining moment for the club. we've always struggled to attract the high-profile players, until now...
 

851

Bench
Messages
3,141
You've posted this a few times now.

Is this because Lawrence's grandad is a south's life member or because rusty has a hard on for him??

Or are you just full of sh*t??

I'm sure the tigers would shed at least a dozen players to prevent from losing Chris Lawrence.
Plus he has this year and next to run on his contract,he is also a Wests junior who does a lot of community work around the Campbelltown area.
 

Vic Mackey

Referee
Messages
25,335
Great Signing for the Club!!!!.

Hello Chris Lawrence :D

the dogs went hard for lawrence last year and he didnt even look at it.

he is a local junior and he heavily involved in the campbelltown community. he has even started his own business there.

braz is right sheens would shed every player we have bar farah and marshall to keep chris
 

TimmyB

Juniors
Messages
2,332
A quick look at the Souths forum has a lot of blokes suggesting they are a big chance to sign Lawrence. Find it very hard to believe to be honest.
 

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