South Sydney have bolstered their backline options by signing former dual international Lote Tuqiri for the the 2014 NRL campaign.
Tuqiri, who recently returned to Sydney following a three-month stint with Irish side Leinster, left the Wests Tigers at the end of the last season having made just four appearances in 2013 after struggling to recover from a broken arm.
The 34-year-old former Brisbane and Queensland winger returned to the NRL in 2010 after an eight-year stint in the 15-man code and enjoyed an excellent season, playing 27 games and crossing for 18 tries.
However, he has played just 25 times since 2011 due to injury problems and had looked to see out his career in Europe before Souths coach Michael Maguire offered him a one-year deal.
“Lote has played the game at the highest level for many years and the experience he will bring to our young backline will be invaluable,” Maguire said.
“He’s expressed a desire to continue to play top level rugby league in our discussions and he will have a chance to be selected in our top 17 based on his performances as we head towards Round 1.
“We’re looking forward to having him join the side for pre-season training and seeing the influence he can have on the young players we have in our squad.”
Tuqiri said he’s excited by the challenge of playing for a Souths side that will be one of the favourites to win the premiership this year.
“I’m really excited to be back and to be part of a club that’s on the way up,” Tuqiri said.
“The club has some very talented youngsters and some of the superstars of the game, and it’s exciting for me to be part of the Rabbitohs now.”
catcat
Guest
paid per game plus 1 shift at the leagues club per week
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
I will assume he signed for $100k and will 'find" another $100k in his glove box. My first thoughts were why in the hell did they not put that cash to keeping Roberts or Mansour! Souths biggest problem this year is exactly the same over the last 2 years and that is defence in their backline, especially in the center position. I concede that Lote is a good trainer and will have a positive impact on the kids, but based on what we have seen over the last 2 years he has lost his pace and turns back like the Queen Mary. Souths will only lose GI in their backline for Origin so it is hard to see how Lote will get a crack.
Wildman From Borneo
Guest
Terrible signing. He is now 34, has marital problems. If he wasn't interested last year he has more reasons not to be interested this year. He'll be injured before round 1 and will miss most of the year. Maguire may be a good Coach but he has proven to be a very ordinary recruitment manager. This is the worst recruitment Souths have seen since the dark old days. Why didn't they just keep Farrell or Everingham? Either would be a better bet than Tuquiri. Souths need the recruitment team to commit Hari Kiri and get Maguire back doing what he does best, Coaching!
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
OMG I'm a rabid rabbitohs supporter but this must be a joke.
Evander
Guest
Right you are, Chris. Thanks.
Peter price
Guest
He's good days are behind him get a Young player least you will get years Out of him
Chris morrison
Guest
Farrell is not actually a Souths junior he is from the south coast
Chris morrison
Guest
@potstirrer lol dw mate they still got a couple of juniors in there. Nathan Merritt, beau champion, Adam Reynolds, John Sutton, Jason Clarke to name a few in their 1st grade ranks
The eye
Guest
A bigger dud at the Tigers than Adam Blair..at least the latter got on the field,for whatever that was worth.
Evander
Guest
Peats is at Parra. Farrell is at St George. Roberts and Mansour are at Penrith.
Pot Stirrer
Guest
Wheres all the Souths fans bragging about thier Juniors, Do they even have any left in thier firstgrade squad apart from Sutton ?
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
Way past it and has been for a while now. Silly move by the bunnies.
Mary Konstantopoulos
Expert
It will be interesting to see how his body will hold up playin NRL again. He's had some fairly serious injuries in the past so hopefully his body is still up to it.
Muzz
Guest
Bolstered?????? Great move Bunnies : )
manlyman101
Guest
Ah no good cost the tigers a few years ago.. not a good buy too injury prone and just ok in attack bad in defense
sambo
Guest
Perhaps he could coach the cheer girls.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
apparently he is an excellent team man, if he stays fit he could be a very handy addition to a depleted outside back division.
Lion Down Under
Guest
I'm assuming he's going to be on a "paid-per-game" contract. Otherwise this is a terrible signing. Souths seem to be building a real team ethos despite having some genuine superstars. As great a player as he WAS in both codes I've never seen him as much of a team man.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
He's one of those 'for how much money ?' signings. A good signing for not much, but appalling if overpaid.
Jack
Guest
In his prime, he was one of the best wingers in the world in both codes of Rugby. He's getting on a bit, but I'd still back him to have an impact.