Lote welcome to play State Of Origin again
By Wayne Heming, 6 Feb 2010 Wayne Heming is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- Des Morris, lot tuqiri, NRL, Rugby League, State Of Origin, Wests Tigers
Queensland selector Des Morris says any potential return to State of Origin by Lote Tuqiri would not be impeded by any grudges held over from when he switched to rugby union in 2002.
Tuqiri’s return to the NRL with Wests Tigers on Thursday is timely for Queensland with international centre Justin Hodges in danger of missing this year’s series after rupturing his achilles tendon last month.
The Fijian-born Tuqiri, who walked out on the Brisbane Broncos and his representative career to accept a massive offer from the 15-man game, would need to hit his straps quickly but Morris said he would definitely get a fair go from Queensland selectors.
“He’s a quality player and he’s a Queenslander, so that’s all we need,” Morris told AAP on Friday.
Tuqiri, who played 99 games for Brisbane, scored five tries in his six Origin appearances in 2001-2002.
“As long as he can adjust back to rugby league reasonably quickly ….. but we’ve got a lot of young blokes around who’ve been impressing.
“There’s certainly no animosity and we appreciate what he did for us when he played for Queensland before.
“If the opportunity comes up for him to play for Queensland again there certainly wouldn’t be an barriers in his way.
“The game has changed and he wanted to better himself financially, that’s how things are these days.”
The image of Israel Folau and Tuqiri or Greg Inglis and Tuqiri on the flanks for Queensland paints quite a big picture.
“There’d be some big boys and NSW will probably have the Morris boys who are also big guys,” said Morris.
Morris didn’t see Tuqiri’s age of 30 being an Origin hurdle.
Queensland have often been dubbed Dad’s Army by Blues supporters but they have won a record four successive straight and are keen to make it five this year.
“Age doesn’t come into when we consider our side,” especially in the position he will play, said Morris.
“We’ve got Petero (Civoniceva) and (Steve) Price and even Locky (Darren Lockyer) to a lesser degree who are on the wrong side of 30 and it’s never been an issue.
© AAP 2012Enjoy sports? Enjoy a bargain? All Sports Online has your favourite sporting brands at up to 70% off. Online only, premium quality sporting goods and merchandise at discounted prices. Get a deal now.
The Crowd Says (9) | Page 1 of Comments
Have Your Say
Do you have what it takes to become a sports writer? Write for the roar
Rugby League articles
- An open letter to Channel Nine (107)
- Gallop and some of his precious Sydney NRL clubs must go (101)
- The NRL is back baby! (65)
- The NRL’s scariest players (56)
- The NRL needs a vision (52)
- Federal Court has it wrong on sports broadcast copyright (48)
- Bulldogs setting benchmark for Sydney’s NRL clubs (46)
- Rugby league’s new era: where to now? (35)
- New dawn for rugby league gets underway (11)
- Rugby league commission ushers in new era (3)
- Ennis confident about his NRL fitness
- Why sporting seasons should never cross paths (35)
- Independent Commission four years in the making, but worth the wait (30)
- Kearney still to choose Eels kicker
- Rugby league’s new era: where to now? (35)
- Federal Court has it wrong on sports broadcast copyright (49)
- An open letter to Channel Nine (108)
- The NRL’s scariest players (56)
- Is the All Stars match increasing the divide? (25)
- Channel Nine needs NRL-cricket ODI compromise (36)
- The NRL needs a vision (52)
- Explore:
- Des Morris, lot tuqiri, NRL, Rugby League, State Of Origin, Wests Tigers
kick,clap,kick said | February 6th 2010 @ 8:22am | Report comment
It will take him at least a season to get fit.
Ask Brad Thorn ….He could not believe the speed of the NRL compared to RU..
Besides, Qld have plenty of outside backs
Justin said | February 6th 2010 @ 8:39am | Report comment
Its a different fitness for forwards and backs, particularly wingers. They are about speed and power not endurance.
keba said | February 6th 2010 @ 6:49pm | Report comment
Kick clap have you personally asked brad thorn himself???
Corey said | February 9th 2010 @ 8:11am | Report comment
I have, and he did say the League was very hard to get back into- especially due to the fitness. He said the 10 metres is the killer, especially on a Queensland Sunday afternoon.
Andrew Watson said | February 7th 2010 @ 9:27am | Report comment
Oh please… Origin??
There about 23 already waiting in line to play in that backline…
mushi said | February 8th 2010 @ 7:21am | Report comment
Last time I checked our back line was kind of a big deal
Dogz R Barkn said | February 8th 2010 @ 11:23am | Report comment
Obviously it’s all a bit premature – let’s see how he gets on first!!
Corey said | February 9th 2010 @ 8:13am | Report comment
I think the fact that Justin Hodges is out for a little while opens up that door, but we do have a lot of talent in the backline waiting. But it would be a big back line, even with Hodges back he could still knock Darius Boyd of the wing position, especially since Boyd is a fullback naturally whereas Tuquiri was bred to be a winger.
The Mad Chatter said | April 27th 2010 @ 9:19am | Report comment
Isn’t it great to be talking about footy players in a positive light for once. Lote Tuqiri has electrified the West Tigers and the NRL so I think he would be a great addition to the Qld Maroons for State of Origin in 2010.
What about the other rugby union convert in Tahu?? Will he play for NSW??