SharkWings
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Since 73 said:Lote wouldn't stay in union for 2 million.
Surely said:simmons will make him look 2nd rate,
Dread said:Which club, or code, will Lote Tuqiri end up at?
If you get it right you'll get bonus points for the predictions thread 07.
Fence sitters will be shot.
Deadline: Wednesday (no sitting it out to see how it goes...)
blacktip-reefy said:Yep. Sure is. Between Broncs & REds now.
Thomo. said:titans are out of the race too
is that true anyone???
Gold Coast pulled out of the race to sign Wallaby Lote Tuqiri, leaving just two NRL clubs interested in the barnstorming winger's signature.
Tuqiri, who is deciding whether to return to league after this year's Rugby World Cup, is now likely to choose between Super 14 franchises NSW and Queensland and NRL clubs the
Sharks and South Sydney.
The Titans released a statement saying they would not be tabling an offer.
"Gold Coast Titans managing director Michael Searle has this afternoon advised Lote
Tuqiri's business mentor Les Ross that the club will not be submitting a formal offer for the dual international's services," the statement read.
"After several productive meetings between the two parties Searle said the Jetstar Titans commitment to junior development and retention forced his hand on the matter.
"We have made a commitment to the community to invest in and develop the region's junior talent, and unfortunately securing Lote's signature could have restricted our ability to provide NRL pathways for our youth."
Tuqiri's hefty price tag - reportedly in the vicinity of $600,000 a year - has NRL clubs baulking, with the league's $4 million salary cap already forcing the Sydney Roosters to quit the race and Brisbane to all but confirm they are also unable to table an offer.
However, Rabbitohs executive chairman Peter Holmes a Court was reportedly in a meeting with Ross and NRL chief executive David Gallop, believed to be discussing options for securing the 27-year-old's switch.
The Sharks have also begun investigating their third-party financing options in an attempt to come up with an offer for Tuqiri.
The Australian Rugby Union is expected to table a three-year $2.4 million offer this week, complete with a deadline for Tuqiri's signature.
Wallaby star Matt Giteau said rugby union could not afford to lose Tuqiri.
"He's obviously pretty important and not just because it's a World Cup year this year, I think for years to come," Giteau told the Nine Network.
"He's been playing really well and he's consistently a good player for the wallabies and I don't think they can afford to lose him."
One time rugby target Mark Gasnier said he'd understand if Tuqiri was getting bored with the 15-man game.
Tuqiri hasn't given any indication he is bored, but speculation is mounting that the Australian Super 14 sides' try drought is turning league-raised backs off the game.
Asked if limited touches of the footy could be a factor in Tuqiri's decision, St George Illawarra star Gasnier said: "I think that's the reality of it, I know that was definitely a concern of mine that I spoke to many coaches about when I was thinking of the transition."
These guys are worried.Wallaby star Matt Giteau said rugby union could not afford to lose Tuqiri.
Since 73 said:These guys are worried.
Union has never been at such a low as it is now.
The Reds are the usual story -useless.
I defy anyone to name more than 5 players in either the Waratahs or Brumbies, and the Western Force? - might as well be a team on the moon. Who cares if they win lose or draw?
Connelly has no answers.
There is no other team in any world sport who can match the wallabies for inhuries to key players such as Latham, Larkham, Waugh and the other blokes whose names nobody cares to remeber.
Plus the loss of Sailor and the huge media coverage Mat rogers will have. After every game he will gush about how happy he is to be back in a sport where he touches the ball.
You bet Giteau is worried.
They have always played second fiddle to League and now both AFL and Soccer have leap frogged both codes.
Basically, of the big 5 - soccer, AFL, cricket, league and union - union is lagging way behind and practically stalled.
The wash-up to this ramble?
Lote is out of there.
Stands to reason really. 8 possible answers for only 1 result. I'm wrong already & the Titans wont be re-entering the quest.Dread said:A lot of people in this thread will be wrong.