Lote Tuqiri thread

[tomcat]

good boy

 

[galahs]

This is Wests best signing since they got the Black Pearl
http://s9.zetaboards.com/Wests_Magpies_Forum/topic/499702/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[tomcat]

Why is he the best signing since the black pearl???

 

[Glennb]

No one has mentioned the most stunning aspect of this announcement…...

THREE YEARS!

Not a dash for cash mercenary visit in between gigs. This looks, sounds and smells like the real deal.

Coincidently its the same term as when the Tele noted it was done and dusted months ago.

Glenn

yep so if he starts sucking he wont be kicked out of the 1st grade spot even at 33

Hmmm we have the opportunity to sign a dual international and you suggest we sign him to a short contract, in case he sucks? Really?

Glenn

 

[alien]

Well the whole backline is under some real pressure now .

That's a good thing.

 

[X-Pac]

No one has mentioned the most stunning aspect of this announcement…...

THREE YEARS!

Not a dash for cash mercenary visit in between gigs. This looks, sounds and smells like the real deal.

Coincidently its the same term as when the Tele noted it was done and dusted months ago.

Glenn

yep so if he starts sucking he wont be kicked out of the 1st grade spot even at 33

Hmmm we have the opportunity to sign a dual international and you suggest we sign him to a short contract, in case he sucks? Really?

Glenn

if he was 27-28 i would have no problem at all,but hes 30
how many 30 year old wingers are in the league atm???

 

[Mrs_T]

Yay! It's finally official. :wahoo:

This has been the most entertaining off season thread ever!

Now bring on season 2010 - The Year of the Tiger!

 

[Geo]

really, you were telling a different story back in november

Ron…you got me curious and I'm impressed that you remember what I said back in November..... :laughing: cause I can't....so I think this post sums it up best

I did turn against the signing of Lortay but like Kul never said he'd signed....

Geo I think you are reading that wrongly. Once Tiquiri starts / started his rugby stint, he is free to officially negotiate his next contract. i think what gallop meant was that he wont register a contract if he isn't in his current contract first off.

I agree with you….but he has to finish his Rugby stint first,,,,,,,before Gallop will register his contract....so what would be the point of announcing WHAT......cant be seen to be contracted whilst playing union O/S...

OR

Although Wests Tigers officials are denying that a deal has been struck for **fear of incurring the wrath of NRL boss David Gallop,** Tuqiri will turn out for the joint-venture club should he finish his European stint unscathed.

Humphrey's has said that....... IF Lote was to return to the NRL the Wests Tigers would be interested......which given the circumstances is all he can say.......that's the way I read it....

 

[alien]

and in 3 years he'll be 33_34.

At the end of his contract he will be 32.

Just adding facts to the agenda.

Glenn

Lote does turn 31 this year so he will be 33 in his last year at Wests.

Although his birthday is Sept 23.

 

[Buckets_of_blood]

"The deals never done until the deals done"
>
"I was never confident until I had his signature"
>
"I went over to England because the opposition were circling"
>
Stephen Humpries: 2SM. Feb 4, 2010

Looks like someone fogot to tell Humph way back last October

 

[alien]

Any idea how much coin per season?

I read somewhere earlier that it's around $220,000 per season plus an extra $200,000 per season from a 3rd party (which I believe is Benny Elias).

money well spent but thats a little bit overs

Yeah but if Benny wants to spend it that's up to him. He has heaps of money anyway and he wants to see the Wests TIgers succeed. If Wests TIgers are only spending around $220,000 from the salary cap then that's not bad.

 

[Granto87]

"The deals never done until the deals done"
>
"I was never confident until I had his signature"
>
"I went over to England because the opposition were circling"
>
Stephen Humpries: 2SM. Feb 4, 2010

Looks like someone fogot to tell Humph way back last October

:smiley:

 

[Snowy]

Hope he does well for us but I just keep thinking bout his age and how long all this took to happen.
Also I have said it before coming in mid season is imo not good enough for the $$$ we are paying him!
But I have my humble pie in the freezer ready to go say mid april i will wack it straight in the oven if lote is playin well. Tomcat you are welcome to a slice lol.

 

[Glennb]

yep so if he starts sucking he wont be kicked out of the 1st grade spot even at 33

Hmmm we have the opportunity to sign a dual international and you suggest we sign him to a short contract, in case he sucks? Really?

Glenn

if he was 27-28 i would have no problem at all,but hes 30
how many 30 year old wingers are in the league atm???

Within minutes of me being bothered I'll commence the research but of the top of my head, Wendell Sailor had a stellar year last year at the age of 35.

Whilst yo uare waiting for me to be bothered to do the research…..here is a question for you. How many wingers are in the comp or available to sign that are 6'1000", 100kg+, fast, have played for Kangaroos & Wallabies, SOO?

Yes he is at the older part of his career but you dont lose that kind of physical attributes or skill.

Glenn

 

[Granto87]

Mat rogers maybe looking for a new club next year as well his stint in union has prolonged his career let hope the same is for Tuqiri

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

this guy will increase our crowd average and the nrl in general. talk about a hot ticket. this is broadway written all over it. extra extra read all aboudit…...........Tuqiri signs with marshall, farah, tuaki, ellis and co. Step right up folks, step right up - let your imagination meet reality - because this is Tuqiri in a Wests Tigers guernsey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 3 years or for others 2012\. Its time to step up if we can.

 

[cnx_tigers]

Glad it's sorted out.

I told you blokes yesterday that the deal wasn't done and that the CEO had gone there to lay it on the line and get it all finished as Lote was considering changing his mind. **That's exactly what Humphreys just said in his interview.**

The CEO gave him a final deadline and that's exactly what was needed.

My issue now is that Tuqiri had given us his word…........but then had second thoughts. I am not sure what to think of a bloke who's word isn't enough.

Good on the CEO for pushing it though and saying "decide".

Now everyone can go back to not abusing each other hopefully.

 

[alien]

At the end of this year when we start the 'Wests Tigers team of the century' thread, Lote's name might get in the side as a winger.

 

[Guest]

From Fox Sports:

Lote Tuqiri signs three-year deal with Wests Tigers

By Ian McCullough
February 04, 2010

Lote Tuqiri has his sights set on reclaiming representative jumpers after agreeing to switch codes again and return to rugby league with Wests Tigers.

Sacked by the Australian Rugby Union in July for a breach of team rules, the dual international winger signed to return to the NRL on a three-year deal, ending months of speculation.

Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens said the 30-year-old former Queensland State of Origin and Kangaroos star retained high ambitions and had a lot to offer in his second stint in the NRL.

"Lote's experience and ability will bring an X-factor to Wests Tigers," Sheens said.

"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."

Tuqiri, who has been playing club rugby in the UK with Leicester, will link up with Wests Tigers at the end of March when he completes those commitments.

That could see him return to the 13-man code for the first time since leaving Brisbane Broncos in 2002.

That would give him plenty of time to press his claims to add to the six Queensland State of Origin caps he earned in 2001-02 while with Brisbane before the switch to rugby union which saw him play 67 Tests including two World Cup tournaments for the Wallabies.

Veteran Tigers prop Todd Payten was already looking forward to the damage Wests Tigers could do out wide with Tuqiri on one wing and New Zealand powerhouse Taniela Tuiaki on the other.

"It will certainly give teams something to think about when we kick the ball," Payten said.

Payten, a member of the Tigers' 2005 premiership team, said Tuqiri's arrival reinforced his belief the Tigers will make the finals for the first time in five years in 2010.

"I was confident we would make the eight with the way we finished last season and getting Lote in makes us even stronger," he said.

"He has played at the highest level in two codes and the young players in our team such as Tim Moltzen and Robert Lui can only learn from him and get better."

Tigers chief executive Stephen Humphreys said securing Tuqiri was a great endorsement for the club and its prospects for the 2010 season.

"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 said.

"Lote attracted significant interest from European rugby clubs who have greater financial resources than we do."

Tuqiri said he was glad to have his future settled and was looking forward to returning to the NRL.

"There was plenty of speculation about my next career move," said Tuqiri.

"I was really appreciative of the interest I received from a number of clubs which made my decision that much harder.

"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."

 

[Kul]

Well done Wests Tigers.
Today will be remembered as day that this club turned another major corner. 2005 will seem like nothing compared to what the club will do over the next few years

Humph has started to do what Steve Noyce failed at: make WT the ManU of the NRL