Australian rugby union player Lote Tuqiri stretches at a team practice session in Sydney on Tuesday, June 23, 2009. AAP Image/Paul Miller)
I’ve been a little edgy these past few months. Ever since my beloved Wests Tigers said they had entered into negotiations with Lote Tuqiri, I’ve been praying to any greater power that would listen that the Little Club that Could might just pull off the signing of their eleven year history.
This was quite the roller coaster ride.
First, everyone was saying the deal was done, everyone except David Gallop who poured cold water on the idea from the get go, stating publicly that he would want more information on what exactly went down over at the ARU, and ultimately led to Tuqiri’s unceremonious parting of ways with the Wallabies.
Then, when the media started to get into a bit of a frenzy and the NRL started to assert their authority on the whole situation, both sides seemed to scatter and peep out from behind some drab press releases that seemed to put the thing to bed.
But not for me.
Since then I have been like a hawk, crossed with a meerkat, who mated with an owl that had somehow mixed its DNA with my fourth grader Teacher, Mrs Vernon.
Ok, let’s just say I had this story COVERED, scanning the net, New Idea and Fox Sports news for any inkling that one L.Tuqiri had put pen to paper and would be turning out for The People’s Champion in 2010.
Lote himself had done a good job of keeping people off the scent with some rather diplomatic Twitter banter.
But I wasn’t fooled.
The whole thing was as transparent as the bike pants on that guy that rides his bicycle to the Coffee Club on Sunday morning (you know the one, the generously proportioned gent you just want to walk up to with a picture of Cadel Evans and say ‘YOU’RE DOING SOMETHING WRONG’).
In his excitement at the prospect of playing alongside the Flying Falafel, Tuqiri even managed to sign on the dotted line with the wrong club, committing to a guest stint with English Rugby Club Leicester Tigers, who had also been pursuing his services.
Being a man of his word, Lote decided against letting the good people of Leicester down and pledged to see out his time with the club. Bless him.
But it was just a matter of time before the REAL Tigers got their man.
And yesterday was the day.
There have already been many, and there will no doubt be more, of the naysayers who think that the signing of Tuqiri is bad news for the club: that he is too old, that his biceps are too big for the Tigers’ jersey, he has been out of the NRL for too long, that the spot would have been better spent on one of the plethora of talented Tigers coming through the ranks.
I’m not saying any or all of those statements are right or wrong. People are entitled to their opinions. But for any Tigers fans thinking that this might not be a great idea, you need to look at this:
Tuqiri
Tuiaki
Lawrence
Ayshford
Ryan
Marshall
Moltzen
This is what I think will be the Wests Tigers backline for the majority of the 2010 NRL season. Now, if you don’t look at that line up and want to party like it’s 2005, read it again.
I’m excited! Can you tell?
EA
Guest
I'm a Tigers fan and I'm not rejoicing. They won't get a cent of my money whilst Tuqiri is on the books. He, and the other turncoats, should have been left to rot in Union. We should be as welcoming as Union was to players that went from Union to Rugby League.
MyGeneration
Roar Guru
He scored 31 tries in 67 tests. He was a success in Rugby.
GM
Guest
Yes but back then he could run fast. See prior comments on his lack of speed, it was one of the reasons he wasn't a success in Rugby
Andrew Watson
Guest
pretty standard for Elite Athletes with most breaks these days...
Majara
Guest
good luck to the guy. Wendell worked well for us, St George, Lote may just do just the same for the Tigers.
Mick from Giralang
Guest
Doesn't sound good.
Andrew Watson
Guest
Tuiaki had followup surgery early this week to clean up the joint some more....
Ian Noble
Guest
Good luck to Lote, he has got what he wanted a three year contract on a decent amount of money. I don't think in the NH he would have got such a long contract at his age probably a max of two years, with possibly a mutual option to renew/terminate at the end of the first year. Leicester wanted him to stay but were stuffed by the salary cap.
Mick from Giralang
Guest
Anyone know how Taniela Tuiaki is progressing from his broken leg?
Katipo
Guest
I think Lote will do OK on the field. It's the off-field challenge that will test him. Is he in the best company? Surley league can't have an off-field season as bad as 2009 though?
MyGeneration
Roar Guru
Maybe, but he was one of the best on the field in the semi-final, and never got much credit for it.
stuff happens
Guest
Well done Wests and good luck to Lote one of the most popular guys in rugby.The decision by the ARU to sack him was stupid and has brought no benefit to rugby at all.
Bay35Pablo
Roar Guru
Some of us did. He should have played 13.
Dassie
Guest
Lote was a dissapointment at the Tahs in recent seasons, he lost his speed, and his footwork, he became too easy to stop. His error rate went up and the tries dried up, so he will be up against it at the Tigers, good luck to them. He also was the last to join group talk on the field, he didnt seem to play for the team, not sure if this will turn around. The hit to his back pocket must be substantial, more than a 50% pay cut for one little indiscretion. Needs to be much more discrete.
Rod
Guest
Rocky Trimarchi is at the Crusaders in Wrexham.
Campbell Watts
Guest
"Totally ungrateful & zero class" - that is Rogers to a tee! Silly tough stickers all over him to boot!
Campbell Watts
Guest
Guys I've been guilty of bagging Dunning in the past - haven't we all - but I saw him in a bar in Perth the other evening (drinking water he was) and he looks RIPPED! Blew me away! No more butterball! Go the Force!
Springs
Roar Guru
Rocky Trimarchi signedwith Crusaders and played last week against Leeds.
sportsfanslife.com
Roar Guru
Agree Jay, Taumata is an X Factor for sure, but considering he has played just 3 first grade games I think he has some dues to pay before he starts....I think he could form a potent combination with Benji
sportsfanslife.com
Roar Guru
Scott, Rocky Trimarchi was cut at the end of last season by my records....