SOUTH Sydney co-owner Peter Holmes a Court yesterday secured the backing of the game's broadcaster, Channel Nine, before the Rabbitohs made an offer to Lote Tuqiri.
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Channel Nine has previously helped prevent NRL stars from switching codes, offering television deals to Newcastle's Andrew Johns and St George-Illawarra's Mark Gasnier.
Nine network chief executive Eddie McGuire said the broadcaster was always open to prospective talent, but it wouldn't wave an open chequebook at just any player.
"While we have stepped in with deals for Andrew Johns and Mark Gasnier, I don't want Channel 9 to be seen as a banker to the NRL," McGuire said.
"If you asked me if we would use Lote on The Footy Show or any other rugby league show, the answer is a definite yes.
"But the Nine network isn't in a position to discuss terms with him or his management until I see a Tuqiri signature on an NRL contract."
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NRL chief executive David Gallop said he was aware of the latest developments before stressing they had not been instigated by the league.
"There's precedent with Johns and Gasnier for non-club sponsors to enter into commercial agreements with players outside the salary cap," Gallop said.
"All we ever do is point a club in the right direction of who the possible third parties are that they could deal with without breaching the cap.
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However, there were mixed responses about Nine's interest from the clubs that had dropped out of the hunt for Tuqiri.
Brisbane said it would have liked the opportunity to re-enter the bidding for Tuqiri...
If what he said about the ARU management is true, i believe he will goto league.
