By Spiro Zavos
July 3rd 2009 @ 1:39am
Related coverage
How do the 2009 Wallabies look without Lote Tuqiri?
Lachie Turner of Australia scores a try during the Australia v Italy Rugby Union game at the Ethiad Stadium in Melbourne, Saturday, June 20th, 2009. Australia won the game 34-12. (AAP Image/Martin Philbey)
This is what we know, or think we know, about Lote Tuqiri’s sacking by the ARU. He was sacked on Wednesday. The police are not involved in investigating any matter regarding the sacking. The ARU denies emphatically that the sacking is part of a witch-hunt to get rid of Tuqiri.
The winger’s $1 million a year salary was not a consideration. The ARU consulted Tuqiri’s provincial side, the NSW Waratahs, on the matter, and they agreed with the decision.
Tuqiri, for his part, has started legal proceedings and has hired a hot-shot solicitor, Mark O’Brien, to take charge of his case.
One of the intriguing aspects of the matter is that both sides have refused to divulge what drove the sacking. The ARU argues that, as the matter is pending action in the courts, it cannot divulge any details.
John O’Neill at a feisty media conference challenged Tuqiri to tell the media what the reasons were for his sacking, as it was up to the player and not the ARU to discuss the issues publicly if he wanted to.
Tuqiri, so far, has resisted telling his side of the story.
So we have the unusual case of everyone pulling down a cone of silence on the matter. It is, for want of a better phrase, a case of a mutual cover-up.
Trolling around the usual traps on Thursday, I found out that some insiders believed that what Tuqiri did to bring the wrath of the ARU down on his neck was “major.” Other insiders say that it was “not a major” offence.
Presumably, it depends on what a person considers to be major or non-major.
You would think that with the ARU going into this with, in O’Neill’s phrase (and he is lawyer) “our eyes wide open,” they have an iron-clad case against Tuqiri.
Whatever the outcome of this unfortunate matter, it is clear that Lote Tuqiri will never play for the Wallabies again.
So Stirling Mortlock and George Smith remain the last survivors of the splendid Wallaby side that almost won the 2003 World Cup.
Six years on, with the announcement of the squad to contest the 2009 Tri-Nations tournament, Australian rugby has what amounts to the first edition (discounting last year’s side of John Connolly left-overs) of Robbie Deans’ Wallabies.
The shape of the side is interesting.
Deans has opted for nine players in his seventeen forwards who can play in the loose forward position. This reflects his Crusader days when he played a fast, efficient, ball-winning pack to get turnover for clever backs to exploit by moving the ball away from the contact areas.
This abundance of a versatile loose forwards will enable him to play a bench that includes David Pocock and Phil Waugh, which in turn offers Deans the chance to play these two and George Smith at the end of Tests.
There is an emphasis on pace and skill in the backs.
The selection of Will Genia, far and away the best of the Australian halfbacks before his injuries in the Super 14, is a fantastic choice. Genia has gone past Josh Holmes, particularly, and is now looking like the next long-term Wallaby halfback.
There are three players in their 30s: Al Baxter, the old man at 32, and Stirling Mortlock and Nathan Sharpe both 31.
There are thirteen players aged 24 and under. Most of these players will be frontline Wallabies in 2011, in time for the Rugby World Cup tournament.
Now this team has to grow into greatness, a task that starts on July 18 at Eden Park, Auckland, against the All Blacks, a venue where the Wallabies last won in 1986.
That 1986 side, coached by Alan Jones, won the Bledisloe Cup for only the second time in New Zealand.
Is this an omen, 23 years on?
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jools-usa said | July 3rd 2009 @ 2:55am | Report comment
Spiro,
Glad you’re moving on from Lote & talking the new Wallaby squad.
Let those who live & breath celebrities dwell on the ‘he said, she said’ stuff & the rest of
us (say 90% of fans), look to the W’s future..
Not for many years (pre Eddie Jones), has the outlook looked so positive for them.
Bring it on.
Jools-USA
fox said | July 3rd 2009 @ 7:05am | Report comment
Admit it Jools, you’d like to know too……
Looking forward though, I am looking forward to us getting our hands back on the bledisloe this year! The AB’s are looking underwhelming and even if they get a few key players back, which they will, I don;t think they’re anywhere near the Wallabies right now. That may change, but on current form we’re looking good. The Boks should be well-hardened after the Lions and snaffle the tri-nation trophy, but this year it’s all about the Bledisloe!
As you allude to Spiro, right now, the Wallabies are looking very well prepared for the journey to 2011. The combinations look amazing and the mix of youth and experience tipped well in favour of youth, who will have earned a few caps and been given many essential international rugby batterings to place them well in their “Quest for Bill”. At the risk of sounding like a gushing teenager, but right now I believe the Wallabies are arguably the best placed team in world rugby for 2011. The Boks will have a squad that will look like our 2007 squad in comparison: old aged. Sounds premature, but the AB’s have some points to prove (and may well do – counting them out, even for this tri-nations, would be a mistake!) and the French, the English, the Welsh and the Irish will struggle down here in 2011 unless they can build much better squads. Like the Boks those northern hemisphere squads look a little over the hill right now.
Anyway, to the Dark Shark I bid you my fondest farewell. It’s been real!
Brett McKay said | July 3rd 2009 @ 8:16am | Report comment
How do the Wallabies look without Tuqiri?? Pretty bloody good at the moment!! The backline seem to be clicking and the back three are noticeably working as a unit, very much employing the (not so) old Crusaders counter-attack plans. And barring injury, you’d have to say Turner, Mitchell and Ashley-Cooper deserve an extended run together becuase they’re all in top form at the moment. And it may even be a case that now they don’t so much have to worry about looking over their shoulder at the big bloke, that their confidence will grow in the knowledge the spots are theirs for the taking..
jools-usa said | July 3rd 2009 @ 8:43am | Report comment
Brett,
Maybe I’m reading it wrong but seems to me that all W’s have spring in their step
& their energy is paramount.
Jools-USA
Jameswm said | July 3rd 2009 @ 8:51am | Report comment
Brett – Don’t forget Peter Hynes. He’s a valuable 4th member who cake the place of either winger in that back 3.
And the Waratahs are benefiting from it, with two of those back 3 playing for us next year.
Now with Berrick Barnes at 5/8, we’ll be looking a lot stronger…
Brett McKay said | July 3rd 2009 @ 9:02am | Report comment
Jools, I’d say you’re spot on, there’s a sense that they know there onto something. I just focussed on the the back three, because I think they’ll be the key benefactors.
And Jameswm, I certainly haven’t forgotten about Hynes, or Ioane either, but at this point in time neither deserve to slot straight back into the XV. That’s not a slight on either Hynes or Ioane, more a tip of the hat to the form of Turner, Mitchell and Ashley-Cooper.
Likewise, there’s a similar spark developing between Giteau, Barnes and Mortlock, and while Giteau and Barnes will quite likely alternate between 10 and 12 during games (I like the assurance of Barnes at 12, btw), Mortlock is gaining in confidence knowing that his ball-players are pointing him toward half-gaps, rather than him trying to make them himself.
bennalong said | July 3rd 2009 @ 9:08am | Report comment
The Wallabies looked soon after Robbie Deans started laying out cones at Manly oval that first training day.
He hasn’t had much time and the results have been mixed, but from that early start the impression of a rejuvenated side has been strengthened.Certainly they have run smoothly off the blocks this season and the coincidence of a bad start by the AB’s inclines you to optimism
But the depth of NZ rugby suggests that if expectations for this year are too high then positivity may turn if there are more disappointing results. The advantage of having old heads in the side is their ability to shut out the bull, good or bad, and go out to do the job
Reports have always suggested that in both the Tahs and the Wallabies, Tuquiri has played a good mentors role. Having the bureaucrats acting in a peremptory way against a valued member of the team (which despite the anti-league/ big money groups pleasure I believe he is) could have negative effects.
Under Deans, and given Lote’s absence from the playing side, I am hopeful this will not be the case. But to ignore the threat to a team’s pride of being treated with disdain by the Mullahs, would be a grave mistake.
In McQueen’s time the ARU was quiet. JON is a money man, not a RUGBY man
johnny-boy said | July 3rd 2009 @ 9:13am | Report comment
Lote won’t own up because he’s too embarassed. Doesnt say much about his Manager (guess who
Genia is a great choice – he may force Burgess to stop resting on his laurels and finally learn to
pull his finger out and learn to pass off the floor sharp and to play smart rather than smarty pants.
Genia will be 1st choice before too long and can look to a great career if he stays cool.
When you think about it, Deans did an amazing job getting a hopeless post Jones and Connolly rabble Wallabies outfit only a few points away from taking out the Tri-Nations and Bledisloe last year after only after a few weeks. This year will be fun.
Love John O’Neill or hate him, he delivers.
johnny-boy said | July 3rd 2009 @ 9:17am | Report comment
The best nickname I can think of for John O’Neill is ‘The Gynaecologist’. You may not like where his hands have been but …..
Nird99 said | July 3rd 2009 @ 9:56am | Report comment
I think my big improver this year is Ashley Cooper. He is a very solid runner of the ball, his kicking game has improved dramatically and he is starting to look at his options a bit better. I think it helps that there seems to be more support from his wingers, and that there is more of a game plan than kick and hope.
Hammer said | July 3rd 2009 @ 10:10am | Report comment
JB .. I think it depends on which side of the Tasman you come from whether you consider O’Neill ‘The Gynaecologist’ or the !@#$
reds fan said | July 3rd 2009 @ 10:14am | Report comment
Jameswm…. nice try. But he aint heading your way.
Jools, I agree. Wallabies looking very energetic. Throw Digby in the mix with the current backs and you have a great unit being built. Not sure about Quade long term… but hope to be proven wrong.
What I love most about the Wallabies backs is the age of them… besides Morts. Gits and Hynes at 27, Burgess 26, AAC 25, Barnes 23, Mitchell 25, Turner 22, James O 14. These boys are prime. Genia is 21, Digs about 23. Not to mention some of the other young stars in Super 14, Tyrone, Touma etc.
The forwards are a similar story. Baxter, Sharpe and Waugh are over the 30 but the rest are under. Even G smith is only coming up to his 29th.
Age is on their side. Experience levels are building nicely. Deans has lifted the thinking and skills dramatically since the knuckles/eddie era.
Happy days.
True Tah said | July 3rd 2009 @ 10:34am | Report comment
Genia looked sharp against the Brumbies when he scored two tries. There has been talk about him becoming the first PNG-born to play for Australia, correct me if Im wrong but was Graeme Bond from PNG and he played for Australia?
I hope Genia getting picked for PNG will help rugby in our northern neighbour, have many other Papuans played super rugby in Oz? Apart from Genia and Bond, Im sure Al Manning is Papuan and so is Henari Veratau (he also played league for the chooks)…sheek might be able to help me here?
sheek said | July 3rd 2009 @ 10:40am | Report comment
One of Lote’s problems was that he was a one trick pony – a winger, & that was it. Many other younger backs can play two or more positions equally well.
The Wallabies are looking good, but it’s too early yet to know for sure. but the signs are good.
Be interesting to know what prompted Tuqiri’s sacking.
Tarpo said | July 3rd 2009 @ 10:51am | Report comment
JB, I’m not a gynaecologist but I’ll have a look!!
Joe said | July 3rd 2009 @ 10:53am | Report comment
“correct me if Im wrong but was Graeme Bond from PNG and he played for Australia?”
Yep – you are right True Tah – he’s from Duke of York island and played for the Wallabies.
Worlds Biggest said | July 3rd 2009 @ 11:12am | Report comment
I concur with all that the Wallabies are building something but will reserve further judgement until the Tri Nations get’s started.
The AB’s copped a public flogging after the Italian game so they will be primed to prove a point against us in Auckland. The Yarpies are going to be tough to beat so it makes for a great tournament this year. I am concerned with our lack of depth at tighthead and 2nd Row at the moment. If Baxter ( never thought I would say that ! )and Sharpe go down we are in a bit of trouble. Remember the Wallabies in 1989 and 1997 were very ordinary teams yet two years later won the holy grail. Happy for us to keep building and win a couple of trophies but not paramount this year for me. Bledisloe would be great however we have to beat the AB’s three times to do it. I want the Wallabies to play for 80 minutes on a consistent basis as a starting point of improvement along with adding depth in certain key positions.
LeftArmSpinner said | July 3rd 2009 @ 12:44pm | Report comment
Lote is no loss to the Wallabies or the Waratahs for that matter now or in the future in terms of playing stocks or palyer contribution. I won’t repeat the reasons. Think dinosaurs and look at the numerous other posts.
However, the reputation and threatening presence (of a large pay packet) was there hovering, and despite others saying that it allows the young guys to stop looking over their shoulders, do we really want them to stop lookin’ over their shoulders??? Nope. We want them to stay hungry, the opposite of Lote!!!! not fearful but aware that they are in possession of a great opporutnity and that the best way to keep it is to leave no stone unturned on and off the field.
Nashi said | July 3rd 2009 @ 1:15pm | Report comment
Everyone seems very positive about the Wallabies prospects this year, my Kiwi mate is quaking in his boots! Though I think he may be safe until next year as we need to win 3 away games, 2 in NZ.
One of the stengths I see Deans developing and which always counted against Lote (dedicated winger) was that the coach likes to put more forwards on his bench for that late in the game ball scavenging. He can afford to do this because he has developed a backline that can play any number of positions quite comfortably. Just look at the bench for the France game and think what replacements Deans would make if any of the starting 7 backs had been injured. I couldn’t see any substitution that would have made the wallabies weaker with the possible exception of Gits. Even then OC would move to 12 and Barnes to 10. In other words one of Deans greatest aschievements has been the development of a 22 man team, not just a 15 man team.
onside said | July 3rd 2009 @ 1:31pm | Report comment
The question cannot be answered until after the Tri nations.
South Africa and New Zealand. Pretty torrid stuff. There is
no guarantee the Wallabies will win any of the games.I am
not being negative,but simply pointing out this challenge is
more intense than the RWC. Lote Tuqiri was not an error of
judgement, but his contract conditions were inexcusable.
Carpet Land at the ARU has much to answer for. Despite
the commercial naivety, they will still be going to the RWC ,
even though Lote wont.
WLN said | July 3rd 2009 @ 1:31pm | Report comment
The sooner we forget the whole Lote biz and he is done and dusted the better. Maybe JON should just pay him to F***KOFF now and save us from his whinge which no doubt his legal team and Danny Wiedler are crafting this minute in time for the Sunday Tele.
Our focus should really be on what could be an awesome turning point season for the Wallabies. The AB’s are lacking in confidence, leadership and execution. A win in Auckland will do enormous damage to the Blacks, remove a key Wallaby bogey and help destabilise the fortress mentality the kiwis have been trying to build there. Whilst the Boks have the players their coaching and administration is chaos. The Bledisloe and the 3N tournament are wide open for the taking. A Wallaby outfit with trophies in the cabinet will draw the fans when a young freshfaced outfit attempts the grand slam at the end of the year. And if the Green’n'Gold bag that, then 2010 will only be minor finetuning before they sweep to glory come RWC2011. You read it here first.
Bill said | July 3rd 2009 @ 1:51pm | Report comment
Nashi,
the Wallabies need to win 2 away games (so at least one of the NZ games) + the home test in Brisbane to take the Bledisloe. A very tall order!
I notice the ARU have wasted no time in removing Lote’s profile from the online Qantas Wallabies player profiles.
Hammer said | July 3rd 2009 @ 1:59pm | Report comment
I really don’t know why NZ and SA are bothering to turn up this year (and for the next 2-3) … foregone conclusion it seems …
Worlds Biggest said | July 3rd 2009 @ 2:07pm | Report comment
Bill – the Bledisloe Cup Test in Australia is in Sydney.
ohtani's jacket, said | July 3rd 2009 @ 2:13pm | Report comment
What the world needs right now is a Wallaby reality check.
If the All Blacks can’t do it at Eden Park, I sure as hell hope the Boks do it.
Skip said | July 3rd 2009 @ 2:24pm | Report comment
As Lote has been sacked by the ARU is he allowed to represent another Country. Obviously he would have to meet other eligibility requirements ie residence, birth place etc?
By tearing up his contract the ARU are saying that they will not select him no matter how good his form is.
Lote’s situation is different to a player that is playing oversea’s as they have a choice as where to play.
Is there a precedence for this or is there a chance the dark shark could be playing for fiji or the AB’s come 2011?
Nick said | July 3rd 2009 @ 2:29pm | Report comment
Careful Spiros – too much harking back to history and you’ll note that that 1986 Wallaby team weren’t in the RWC final the next year.
Justin said | July 3rd 2009 @ 2:39pm | Report comment
Well onto some more positive news.
Digby Ioane won the Reds Players Player award last night and perhaps more impressive for me is he also won the hardest trainer award. Great to see a young man working his ass off and getting tremendous results. I hope he can come back even better next year with a revitalised Reds side and be on the GS Tour in November.
Full article here – http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25727051-5002381,00.html
True Tah said | July 3rd 2009 @ 2:40pm | Report comment
Skip
Im sure IRB criteria would prevent Lote from playing for another country?
Im sure Fiji have some good wingers, so they probably wouldnt need him. As far as the All Blacks go, well I would hope Lote is a bit quicker than say Colin Slade (who is a makeshift winger anyway), whilst he would have been an All Black shoe-in his day, he would get nowhere near the Black jersey in his current form.
True Tah said | July 3rd 2009 @ 2:41pm | Report comment
Justin I sure as hell hope Digby gets into the Wallaby side, just take one look at his physique and you can tell hes worked bloody hard, the bloke is a ball of rock hard muscle.
Skip said | July 3rd 2009 @ 3:00pm | Report comment
Tru Tah,
I am not debating whether he would be picked but can he.
The IRB rules state that a player can not represent another country after he represented a country in either 7’s “A” teams or National teams. However what happens when a country as in Lote’s case tears up his contract and there fore restricting his trade??
Tarpo said | July 3rd 2009 @ 3:39pm | Report comment
Skip,
The Answer is; no he can’t play for anyone else in Int. RU.
bennalong said | July 3rd 2009 @ 4:31pm | Report comment
World’s biggest,
Agree with your concern re the front row. Ironic that a bloke much maligned in these pages is now a key to success. If Sharpe continues his newfound form I’d agree, but second row has acceptable depth. Caldwell and Mumm teamed well for the Tahs (and there’s Kimlin and Chisolm, too) and when Rockie’s back the lineout will be solid
WLN,
Despite my defense of Lote I loved your energetically positive appraisal.It’s certainly one possible scenario and I’m running with it. I’m going to Tokyo to see us bring back the Bledisloe!
OJ,
Without the reality check you’d be hard put to catch us. No wonder you’re hopin’!
bennalong said | July 3rd 2009 @ 4:41pm | Report comment
Genia is a great choice and although Burgess doesn’t need motivation a halfback can’t play a full game at the speed Deans needs, so two running halves would be fantastic.
Digby Ione is value from the Reds also, and reminds me of Habana both in build and in the careering lines he runs.
johnny-boy said | July 3rd 2009 @ 4:51pm | Report comment
By summarily sacking Tuquiri O’Neill has sent a stark and clear message to other Wallabies – mess around while we strive to achieve world dominance including the World Cup and you’re out – period. Most will think twice, even three times about mucking up in the future and will put their heads down and adopt the steely determination that such a goal requires, partly out of fear.
I would say as a consequence there is little or no chance Dunning will be back – unless he behaves like an angel off the field and a raging bull on the field. There will be others more than a little nervous. O’Neill obviously has a good grip on psychology. By comparison, league administrators and leaders are legless, Brad ‘Blind Freddy’ Fittler being a perfect case in point.
craigb said | July 3rd 2009 @ 5:46pm | Report comment
OJ,
Oz rugby has been in the doldrums for a little while now. Surely a little over excited optimism is permitted? Anyway I don’t think the Wallabies need any reality check. I’m sure they are aware of the diificulty of the task at hand. Their supporters on the other hand…
JimC said | July 3rd 2009 @ 5:58pm | Report comment
It was a commercial decision. Giteau won’t be fired for a few drunken nights out that’s for sure – If you deny that your just naive.
AndyS said | July 3rd 2009 @ 6:02pm | Report comment
Yet interestingly he also seems to have more sense than to test the theory…
JimC said | July 3rd 2009 @ 6:20pm | Report comment
As far as you and I know Andy, yes.
AndyS said | July 3rd 2009 @ 6:27pm | Report comment
True, maybe the media give him a pass. I wouldn’t be unheard of (cough…Johns…cough), but I’d be a bit surprised.
ohtani's jacket, said | July 3rd 2009 @ 6:40pm | Report comment
All right, craigb… I’ll settle down. Actually, it works in my favour if the Tokyo Bledisloe Test is a decider.
jools-usa said | July 4th 2009 @ 12:35am | Report comment
Reds Fan
We’re all getting a bit over-excited about the W’s, with good reason following Jones drought, but we
gotta be prepared for some “wake up” calls & some down days.
Can never count out NZ, and after “Boks lick their wounds they’ll be tough. One reason
is their fans are on a high.
Jools-USA
The Link said | July 4th 2009 @ 1:00pm | Report comment
Spiro – you are wrong on one count, the Waratahs were looking for ways to keep Lote. Hardly sounds like agreeing with the decision. Perhaps asking someone at the Waratahs may have helped before making that statement?
“The Waratahs argued that while Tuqiri was in breach of the Wallabies team protocols, he has not broken any rules with the Waratahs.
“It’s a question we asked and looked at, but it can’t happen,” Waratahs coach Chris Hickey said.
“The contract is a tri-party agreement between the ARU, the state union and the player. The ARU would have to sign the contract.”
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25729486-5015651,00.html
Sam said | July 4th 2009 @ 1:59pm | Report comment
I agree that the Wallabies have to look forward now, but until the coach gets the front row fixed, it doesnt matter if you have George Smith or Mr Burns in your backrow. This is the reason Australia has not won the Bledisloe cup or Tri Nations for years, and why none of its teams reached the S14 semifinal. The backline is prob the most skillful in the world, although there is a distinct lack of x-factor players out wide in the form of Habana, Latham or Sivivatu who can spark a game. But Giteau is gold, he will create opportunities for eveyone.
JamesB said | July 4th 2009 @ 3:19pm | Report comment
Might be a nice change for the mighty AB’s not to be peaking in between RWC’s. In my opinion, this may be a blessing in disguise in terms of RWC 2011. with so many injuries these players have some much needed rest, and its an opportunity to blood some new players. Already two new stars have been born in Read and Ross.
BUT… write the AB’s off at your peril. There is nothing more dangerous than an AB team with their backs against the wall.
You Aussies are really doing a great job talking yourselves up. Yes, the Wallabies do look to be a better balanced and a better prepared team in 2009, but to win the Blesdisloe Cup they need to win 3 of the 4 matches, and with only one home game, that is a tall order. If they fail to beat the AB’s at Eden Park, its all over red rover!
I fancy the Boks to win the Tri-nations and NZ to retain Bledisloe Cup.
Jolly Jupes said | July 4th 2009 @ 4:46pm | Report comment
Interesting point JimC makes – I recall that Giteau “collapsed” in a night club a year or two back – can’t remember what the reason was but it got no mileage/sanction from the media or the ARU – was dismissed by the Wallaby doctor and everyone moved on – This would not have happened if it had been certain other players. I dont think the Giteau incident was “investigated” or constitutes a “strike” against his name
The popular rumours on the incident with Lote seems that it occured (dont know what)in the preparation for the Italian test (which he did not play) in Canberra. Not sure on the process but it seems to have been adjudicated on without a hearing, without notification of the players union, without discussion with Lote and as JamesB suggests without Waratahs consultation. Why did it take 4 weeks to investigate a breach of in house rules yet the Giteau “collapse” got sorted in two days and I think the food fight got the fast track as well
Jolly Jupes said | July 4th 2009 @ 4:50pm | Report comment
I googled it – 6 July 2007 Giteau mysteriously collapses in nightclub – have a read and tell me if you think there might be a difference in the treatment.
Sam said | July 4th 2009 @ 4:57pm | Report comment
In 2007 former coach John Connolly was threatened with his job, when he tried to argue on behalf of Tuqiri. Just shows CEO John O’Neill has a personal agenda against Tuqiri. On Friday, when O’Neill was asked about this incident, he said he had no “recollection” of it.
Even looser said | July 4th 2009 @ 5:32pm | Report comment
JamaesB – “You Aussies are really doing a great job talking yourselves up.” Huh? We are?
Kindly point me to where this is happening because I need chearing-up.
joeb said | July 6th 2009 @ 4:46pm | Report comment
The Link, top article that which clears up much hearsay: “After sacking Lote Tuqiri, ARU has another Wallaby in its sights”.
Who could it be now. Dunning has gone west and is currently not a Walla. Hmmm…….. watch out whoever he be.
AndyS said | July 6th 2009 @ 5:19pm | Report comment
So asking the obvious question, who was Lote’s room-mate?
joeb said | July 6th 2009 @ 7:39pm | Report comment
“So asking the obvious question, who was Lote’s room-mate?” AndyS let’s wait till Lote pens his autobiography and tells all. Should be a bestseller. With the right manager this super athelete’s career is far from over, though it seems he’s going to have to take out citizenship elsewhere to progess. Be great to see him turn out on the wing (or centres) for France.
Karl said | September 1st 2009 @ 6:10pm | Report comment
Hmm. Let me think. Oh yes! They look crap.