Lote's million-dollar reason
By Peter Jenkins
March 13, 2007
NEW South Wales and Australia wing Lote Tuqiri landed an 11th-hour endorsement deal worth $700,000 to steer him away from the NRL and keep him in rugby union for the next five years.
Tuqiri finalised the third-party agreement with Vodafone, the Wallabies' major sponsor, at NSW Rugby Union headquarters yesterday - just three hours before the 5pm deadline on his Australian Rugby Union contract offer.
His partnership with the telecommunications company will add $140,000 a year to the 50-Test winger's earnings, pushing him to $1million a season.
The Waratahs brought the two parties together after a month of work behind the scenes, and a NSWRU official last night said the deal was the clincher that killed off any chance of Tuqiri returning to rugby league.
"If we didn't do what we did in terms of third-party agreements, Lote wouldn't be playing rugby beyond this season," he said.
According to another source, Tuqiri and his advisor Les Ross described the deal as "the jewel in the crown" with the prospect of global exposure for the dual international.
The Vodafone agreement is one of four third-party contracts the Waratahs have secured for Tuqiri.
"I think this arrangement has been an important one," said NSWRU chairman Arvid Petersen, who was at the meeting in the Moore Park offices.
"Lote and Les were keen that whatever third-party deals they got were substantial, genuine and with a leading brand."
Petersen was equally adamant that Tuqiri's re-signing, effectively for the remainder of his football career, had been crucial for the game.
"Lote is one of three or four star players for the Wallabies and, at a time when Australian rugby needs all the plusses it can get, retaining him has been very important," he said.
"He's a tremendous asset to NSW too and, given our poor form, hopefully he's going to lead the rebuilding of the Waratahs."
Tuqiri's base contract with the ARU and the Waratahs is believed to be worth $650,000 a season.
Match payments should bring him a further $120,000 with endorsement deals providing an extra $230,000 per annum.
Tuqiri has signed for four years with an option for a fifth season.
"In another five years time, he should be one of our most capped players," Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie said, predicting that Tuqiri would join the ranks of Wallabies legends.
Only Wallabies captain George Gregan and wing great David Campese have reached the magical 100-Test milestone.
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