Lote Tuqiri signs with Wests Tigers
EXCLUSIVE by Dean Ritchie | October 28, 2009 11:00pm
IT IS news rugby league fans have long wanted to hear - dual international Lote Tuqiri will return to the NRL with Wests Tigers in 2010.
With third-party agreements, the former Brisbane Broncos winger will earn up to $400,000 a season after signing with the Tigers for the next three seasons.
The only issue is when the club can officially announce his signing. Tuqiri will shortly sign a short-term deal with either London Irish or Leicester in the English rugby union competition.
It is understood he will return to Australia in March for the start of the NRL season.
NRL chief executive David Gallop has ruled no player can have guest stints with a rival code, particularly rugby union, and then return to league.
It means Tuqiri can privately agree to terms with Wests Tigers now but he cannot formally sign until he returns.
However, the rule robs the Tigers of the chance to promote Tuqiri as an exciting addition to their line-up until the season is about to kick off.
Club insiders say the NRL rule is ridiculous because it prevents Tuqiri from being used to promote ticket sales, membership, merchandising and marketing.
Tuqiri will become the fourth player to return to rugby league after lucrative stints in rugby union, following fellow Wallaby recruits Mat Rogers, Wendell Sailor and Timana Tahu.
Wests Tigers chief executive Stephen Humphreys was revealing little last night, fearing any premature announcement regarding Tuqiri could jeopardise the deal.
The English rugby union season does not finish until May, but the Tigers want Tuqiri back at the club's Concord base by March.
Tuqiri was sacked by the ARU for disciplinary reasons mid-season and will still need to explain the reasons for his dismissal to Gallop.
But there are no indications the NRL boss will prevent Tuqiri from returning to rugby league.
Gallop and Humphreys spoke several times last week about Tuqiri, who wants to settle in Sydney permanently and lives in the Balmain area.
"Lote is getting close to making a decision about his playing future and hopefully that will include us,'' Humphreys said yesterday.
Tuqiri will start 2010 on the wing with Wests Tigers, forming a formidable combination with big Taniela Tuiaki.
If he settles back into rugby league quickly, Tigers coach Tim Sheens has plans to use the former Kangaroos star at fullback and Tuqiri has a strong desire to play in the No.1 jumper.
