Tuqiri converts from Tigers to Tigers
Thu, 04 Feb 2010 09:25
Lote Tuqiri's has ended speculation about his future by confirming that he will move back from Rugby Union to Rugby League.
Tuqiri has signed a contract with Wests Tigers for the next three seasons and he will leave English Rugby Union club Leicester Tigers by the end of March before returning to Australia.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that in one of the biggest signings in its 11-year-history, Wests Tigers CEO Stephen Humphreys concluded the agreement with Tuqiri in Leicester this week.
Tuqiri follows in the footsteps of Mat Rogers and Wendell Sailor, who also played Rugby League for Australia, then switched codes and played Rugby Union for Australia before returning to Rugby League.
Tuqiri gained prominence as a League player for the Brisbane Broncos and Queensland Maroons and then played for Fiji and Australia. He switched to Rugby Union in 2002, playing for the Waratahs in the Super 14 and winning 67 caps for the Wallabies. He was a member of their 2003 and 2007 Rugby World Cup squads.
No reasons were given when Tuqiri's contract with the Australian Rugby Union was terminated on 1 July 2009, and after a period of personal and legal uncertainty he was signed by Leicester Tigers.
"We made it clear early on that should Lote be interested in returning to Rugby League, then Wests Tigers were keen to accommodate him,'' Humphreys told the Sydney Morning Herald. "This club is about developing our local juniors to first grade but it is also good to attract high quality talent.
"Lote attracted significant interest from European rugby clubs who have greater financial resources than we do."
Tuqiri said he was happy to have his future settled and was looking forward to joining Wests Tigers.
"There was plenty of speculation about my next career move. I was really appreciative of the interest I received from a number of clubs which made my decision that much harder,'' Tuqiri said. "I really appreciate the fact Stephen came to Leicester to meet with my family. We had a really good talk about a range of things which greatly assisted us in making the decision we have now made.
"I enjoyed my time in Rugby Union immensely and have been very fortunate to have made many great friends through my time in the code. The Leicester Tigers have been terrific to me and my family and we will never forget the warm hospitality they and their supporters have shown us.
"I'm really excited to return to the NRL. There is no question it is one of the toughest sporting competitions in the world and I am confident Wests Tigers will enjoy great success in the coming years.
"The opportunity to play under the most experienced coach in the game in Tim Sheens was a major factor in my decision. Wests Tigers is a club with a great culture and a terrific roster of players. I am thrilled to be joining them."
Sheens was excited to have secured a quality player like Tuqiri.
"Lote's experience and ability will bring an X-factor to Wests Tigers,'' Sheens said. "He has achieved more than most footballers and to have someone of his calibre in our team is a great addition to an already impressive squad of talented players.
"I know one of the main driving reasons behind Lote's decision is that he is very keen to break back into representative footy, something other players coming back from Rugby Union have been unable to do of late."
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