http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,21355040-23214,00.html
Souths shore up Tuqiri deal
By Stuart Honeysett and Peter Kogoy
March 10, 2007 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.
There could be more elements to Tuqiri's offer before the weekend is over, with the New South Wales and Australia wing's business adviser, Les Ross, meeting executives from News Limited (publisher of FOXSPORTS.com.au).
The behind-the-scenes moves came as Tuqiri snapped at the Australian Rugby Union for announcing that its final four-year offer was less than the initial deal he turned down before Christmas.
While Tuqiri's future is yet to be decided, another high-profile footballer finally secured his future when Bulldogs star Sonny Bill Williams agreed a five-year, $2 million deal with the Sydney club.
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."
The ARU issued Tuqiri with a deadline of close-of-business on Monday, and the Waratahs wing made an unsuccessful attempt yesterday to have that date pushed back until Wednesday so he could focus on the game against South Africa's Bulls at Aussie Stadium tonight.
"I would have liked (until) Wednesday, but if it has to happen Monday, they're the governing body, it has to happen Monday, with or without decision," Tuqiri said.
However, the former Brisbane league player was less than impressed when asked about the ARU statement that his latest deal was for less money.
"They put it out to the media and didn't even tell me beforehand," Tuqiri said.
"They're running a pretty tight ship there. They tell the media first before telling the player, so it's pretty disappointing in that sense."
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.
"Souths will keep me informed and I've also told them to keep talking to (salary cap auditor) Ian Schubert."
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, while Gold Coast said it would not have been able to compete with the money on offer from elsewhere, and the Roosters said the interest from Nine made little difference.
Sharks chief executive Greg Pierce revealed yesterday that the club had also consulted Nine when it was looking to put a deal together.
"We don't have a problem with it," Pierce said.
"Channel Nine were willing to help us, too, before we pulled out."
I hope you tipped South Africa to win the world cup.
