Lote Tuqiri has to prove his worth to the Wests Tigers again

[Guest]

With Tim Sheens gone, Lote Tuqiri has to prove his worth to the Wests Tigers again

Paul Crawley
The Daily Telegraph
October 22, 201212:00AM
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TIM Sheens was one of Lote Tuqiri's biggest fans - now the veteran winger has to convince a new coach he is worthy of a new deal at Wests Tigers.

The Tigers are expected to make an announcement on a new coach this week, with Mick Potter and Kevvie Walters the favourites to take over from Sheens when the club returns for pre-season training on November 5.

At 32, Tuqiri is still not signed for next year but the dual international has no plans to call it quits, even if it means changing clubs.

While it remains unknown whether Tuqiri will factor into the new coach's plans, his manager said there was one guarantee.

"One thing is 100 per cent: regardless of where he may be he will definitely be playing next year," Giancarlo Lombardo said. "That is not in doubt."

Asked if there had been interest from other NRL clubs, Lombardo added: "If someone like him comes on to the market, people are always going to make inquiries. We have done the respectful thing to let it take its course and see where it is at.

"Hopefully within a week or two … it will be good to know where the Tigers are at. I won't say the coach (situation) has held us up.

"If I said that, that would be incorrect. (Club boss) Stephen Humphreys has been great, it's just a matter of sorting through a few things."

Tuqiri's bargaining power has suffered because of injuries and the emergence of Marika Koroibete.

Under Sheens, Tuqiri played every game in 2010 but managed just nine games in 2011 and 12 this year before a broken arm ended his season.

Lombardo said Tuqiri wants to stay at the Tigers, is almost back to full strength and keen to prove he is not a spent force.

 

[tigermaniac]

I've said all along it was time for Lote to call it a day, but hearing lately that the WT are taking on Fijian youngsters, I'd give him 1 more year and a job after football. I think it's time to start repairing for next year.
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[jadtiger]

Lote gave us 1 good year and 2 years of injuries, at 32 i cant see the point of keeping him at his age it gets harder to recover from any injury

 

[Joel Helmes]

I doubt the new coach will want to sign him again.

 

[Spartan117]

Definitely worth another year with the tigers. His value is emense on and off the field..

Great for the club, sponsors and the youngsters in the system.

 

[alex]

I would keep him on a second tier contract - play him a few games and keep him around to mentor Koro and Nofo. It'll make those guys feel more comfortable I'm sure which could work wonders

 

[Fraze23]

I'd suspend all signings and resignings until the new coach has full control. He should have a say on his squad for next season simple as that.
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[Gothetigers]

I'd suspend all signings and resignings until the new coach has full control. He should have a say on his squad for next season simple as that.
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Isn't that happening ?
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[Tigersmurf]

I would keep him on a second tier contract - play him a few games and keep him around to mentor Koro and Nofo. It'll make those guys feel more comfortable I'm sure which could work wonders

I don't think we could afford to pay him $250,000 on a second tier contract, and I seriously doubt he will be accepting anything less.

 

[851]

What a load of crap from his mananger.
"Asked if there had been interest from other NRL clubs, Lombardo added: "If someone like him comes on to the market, people are always going to make inquiries. We have done the respectful thing to let it take its course and see where it is at"
He is on the market and has been for months,he has no contract for next year,no club has been linked to him in the 4 months since June 30.

 

[alexaki]

What a load of crap from his mananger.
"Asked if there had been interest from other NRL clubs, Lombardo added: "If someone like him comes on to the market, people are always going to make inquiries. We have done the respectful thing to let it take its course and see where it is at"
He is on the market and has been for months,he has no contract for next year,no club has been linked to him in the 4 months since June 30.

Boy is that a desperate article by Lote's Manager!.talk about a talk up!.it's obvious no one else wants him..

 

[iofthetigers]

This story once again shows that the Tigers would have the highest media profile in the comp I beleive even surpassing Brisbane. 3 stories in 2 days (none that we are really interested in),the image of the changes to the draw was not an image of the Storm or even Ben Barba it was Benji Marshall. I think the DT probably ran the story to get inside info on the new coach.

 

[BeeJay]

Definitely worth another year with the tigers. His value is emense on and off the field..

Great for the club, sponsors and the youngsters in the system.

Yep agree, one year with possibly a 1 year option. Having him here to mento marika as well as for his media/marketing profile. I'd also try and offer him a role at the club after football.

 

[Newtown]

Definitely worth another year with the tigers. His value is emense on and off the field..

Great for the club, sponsors and the youngsters in the system.

Yep agree, one year with possibly a 1 year option. Having him here to mento marika as well as for his media/marketing profile. I'd also try and offer him a role at the club after football.

Completely agree

 

[Yossarian]

What a load of crap from his mananger.
"Asked if there had been interest from other NRL clubs, Lombardo added: "If someone like him comes on to the market, people are always going to make inquiries. We have done the respectful thing to let it take its course and see where it is at"
He is on the market and has been for months,he has no contract for next year,no club has been linked to him in the 4 months since June 30.

Boy is that a desperate article by Lote's Manager!.talk about a talk up!.it's obvious no one else wants him..

That may be true as far as the NRL is concerned but I'm sure he'd get megabucks over in Japan playing yawnion…

 

[mike]

Definitely worth another year with the tigers. His value is emense on and off the field..

Great for the club, sponsors and the youngsters in the system.

Yep agree, one year with possibly a 1 year option. Having him here to mento marika as well as for his media/marketing profile. I'd also try and offer him a role at the club after football.

Totally agree as well
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[innsaneink]

What a load of crap from his mananger.
"Asked if there had been interest from other NRL clubs, Lombardo added: "If someone like him comes on to the market, people are always going to make inquiries. We have done the respectful thing to let it take its course and see where it is at"
He is on the market and has been for months,he has no contract for next year,no club has been linked to him in the 4 months since June 30.

Yeah it read like that to me too….lombardi peein in humptys pocket

This story once again shows that the Tigers would have the highest media profile in the comp I beleive even surpassing Brisbane. 3 stories in 2 days (none that we are really interested in),the image of the changes to the draw was not an image of the Storm or even Ben Barba it was Benji Marshall. I think the DT probably ran the story to get inside info on the new coach.

Thats pretty naive.
I saw lots of negative articles
*Sheens angry at rumours marshalls in charge
*Ayshford sacked if Jennings signs.
*Marshall should be sacked from allstars game
*Lote - Unsigned players....all negatives or questions up in the air.....we dont tie up loose ends, thats why theres so many articles.
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There should be this same article on Moltzen too......hes unsigned....hopefully the new coach dont wanna bar of him

 

[Joel Helmes]

Definitely worth another year with the tigers. His value is emense on and off the field..

Great for the club, sponsors and the youngsters in the system.

Yep agree, one year with possibly a 1 year option. Having him here to mento marika as well as for his media/marketing profile. I'd also try and offer him a role at the club after football.

Totally agree as well
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_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_

Lol at all you guys - Lote was past it in 2012, imagine what he would be like in 2014!!!

 

[Snake]

You won't get Jennings and Lote ..pretty easy choice actually if there was to be one!

 

[iofthetigers]

Thats pretty naive.
I saw lots of negative articles
*Sheens angry at rumours marshalls in charge
*Ayshford sacked if Jennings signs.
*Marshall should be sacked from allstars game
*Lote - Unsigned players….all negatives or questions up in the air.....we dont tie up loose ends, thats why theres so many articles.
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There should be this same article on Moltzen too......hes unsigned....hopefully the new coach dont wanna bar of him

To believe the DT is naive,far be the truth get in the road of a good story. I bet there is more people on this forum now than this time last year (I know I am constantly on here ).May be the club knows exactly what it is doing, & I am sure the players & officials would take comfort in that info is staying in house & not leaking like a sieve.