Chasing ... Ricky Stuart has approached Lote Tuqiri about switching codes and joining him at the Sharks. / The Sunday Telegraph
Stuart pursues Tuqiri
By Peter Jenkins
November 05, 2006 12:00
KANGAROOS coach Ricky Stuart has secretly contacted Lote Tuqiri about switching codes and joining him at the Sharks after next year's rugby union World Cup.
The Sunday Telegraph can reveal that Stuart and the celebrated dual international, who played outside centre in this morning's Test against Wales at Millennium Stadium, spoke briefly on the phone the day the Wallabies flew out for Europe.
It is understood the pair agreed to meet when Tuqiri returns to Australia, adding a further twist to a worldwide tug-of-war for the ARU's marquee player. Approached last night in Cardiff to comment on the latest development, Tuqiri said: "I don't want to talk about any of that stuff while I'm over here.''
The ARU, wanting to beat back a long line of suitors from the NRL and cashed-up clubs from both codes in Europe, is preparing to table a record four-year, $4million offer to retain Tuqiri through to the 2011 World Cup.
And Wallaby team-mate Mat Rogers, who will return to the NRL with the Gold Coast Titans in 2008, said Australian rugby should make every effort to keep the match-winning 27-year-old, who comes off contract at the end of next season.
"I do say no player is bigger than the game but I think the ARU needs him,'' Rogers said. "It goes beyond what he does on the field. You need to have players who kids gravitate towards and he's definitely one of them.
"Every game needs a rock star and he's rugby's rock star at the moment. The way he plays the game proves he's a linchpin. Having all this interest is a good position for Lote to be in but it's also going to be a bloody tough decision for him to make. He'll have a lot of offers to sift through.''
European approaches are expected to be made during the Wallabies' current tour, which ends with a Test match against Scotland in Edinburgh on November 25. Australian selector and former dual international Michael O'Connor believes that it is those offers from the UK and France that potentially pose the biggest threat to the ARU keeping Tuqiri.
"There are some very wealthy individuals and clubs who would see him as a major drawcard,'' O'Connor said. "There's also the strength of the pound and the ancillary benefits that can go with signing a contract over here.''
The Sunday Telegraph has been told of one Welsh international who recently signed a boot contract worth more than $250,000 a year. O'Connor agreed with Rogers that Tuqiri was a must for the Wallabies, especially since a host of established stars are expected to move on after next year's World Cup or the following season.
"The symbolism (of rugby league winning him back from rugby union) doesn't mean anything to me,'' O'Connor said. "The important thing is that he's such a world class player and we can't really afford to lose him.
"He would be a first choice in any team anywhere around the world. If you picked a World XV he would be on one of the wings. He's hugely important given his age, where he's at at the moment, and where he can go.
"He can potentially be one of the greatest wingers the game has ever had. You saw in that final Test against the All Blacks just how potent he can be. For a guy whose background isn't in rugby union, he's also got a real knack for reading the play and he's still only going to get better.''
Tuqiri sensationally left the Brisbane Broncos to sign with the ARU in 2003. He has now played 47 Tests for the Wallabies and is poised to reach the coveted 50-cap milestone against Scotland.
Source: www.news.com.au