**Tuqiri flies straight on to Kangaroos wing**
Lote Tuqiri is set to complete a historic Test return by being named to start on the wing for Australia against Papua New Guinea on Sunday, with Dragons premiership winner Darius Boyd almost certain to be snubbed for the Four Nations opener at Parramatta Stadium.
Tuqiri was called into the national squad only on Tuesday as a replacement for the injured Jarryd Hayne (hamstring tear) and, as a late addition, was thought to be behind Boyd and fellow Dragons three-quarter Brett Morris for the two wing spots against the Kumuls.
However, the Herald understands Australian coach Tim Sheens - who is Tuqiri's club coach at the Wests Tigers - is set to overlook Boyd for the first game of the tournament, elevating the dual international straight into the starting side to make his first international league appearance since 2002.
Morris would occupy the other wing, with Boyd - the Clive Churchill Medal winner - to miss out. When he runs out Tuqiri, 31, will become the first footballer in history to complete the transition from international rugby league to international rugby and back.
The Kangaroos team to take on the Kumuls is scheduled to be announced tomorrow. Boyd could consider himself very unlucky to be omitted: the 23-year-old fullback was one of the best players in the NRL last season and was judged best on the field in St George Illawarra's grand final win over the Sydney Roosters earlier this month. Boyd reverts to wing for Queensland in the State of Origin series, with Australian fullback Billy Slater taking the Maroons No.1 jersey, and has played eight Origin matches in the role since 2008, as well as two Tests.
Sheens, though, spoke this week of the importance of specialist wingers and the undervalued skills required to succeed in the position. It is understood Tuqiri's status as a fully fledged winger has tipped the balance in his favour.
''[It is] a great story for Lote and a great story for rugby league, really,'' Australian captain Darren Lockyer said. ''He's got a reward for a really good season with the Tigers. I'm really happy for him actually. I thought when Jarryd had to pull out … I was racking my brain a bit, and Lote's name sort of came up because he was in the train-on squad. It's really good.''
Lockyer played alongside Tuqiri for Brisbane, Queensland and Australia before the winger's seven-year sojourn in rugby, during which he featured in 67 Tests for the Wallabies.
When they last played together Lockyer was 25\. Much has transpired in the captain's storied career since then. Lockyer has switched from fullback to five-eighth, won another premiership, presided over five consecutive Origin victories and broken the records for most appearances and most tries scored in Test history.
At 33, he has also lost a little hair and sounds a lot more like Vito Corleone. But, having not taken the field since early August when a rib cartilage injury ended his season, he feels not only fresh but excited. ''For me, and I guess a lot of players in our squad who haven't played footy for a while, these sort of days start to get the juices flowing, thinking about footy again,'' Lockyer said at yesterday's civic reception for Australia, PNG, Tonga and Samoa at Parramatta Town Hall. ''Because you haven't played for a while, you're probably a little bit more nervous. You've got to find your timing again … you feel a bit more nervous than you would if you had have played right up until the grand final.''
Billy Slater (Melbourne), Lote Tuqiri, (Wests Tigers), Brent Tate (North Queensland), Willie Tonga (North Queensland), Brett Morris (St George Illawarra), Darren Lockyer (Brisbane), Cooper Cronk (Melbourne), Petero Civoniceva (Penrith), Cameron Smith (Melbourne), Nate Myles (Sydney Roosters), Sam Thaiday (Brisbane), Luke Lewis (Penrith), Paul Gallen (Cronulla).
Interchange: Kurt Gidley (Newcastle), Anthony Watmough (Manly), Tom Learoyd-Lahrs (Canberra), David Shillington (Canberra)
Congrats Lote!!
Off to buy a Kiwis Flag today to wear as a cape! Looking forward to the test at the Cake Tin! Go the mighty Kiwis!
