AmericanHistoryX
Well-known member
he's not a tool - he's not even a fool.
Joel Helmes
Well-known member
Surely a fit Tame Topou would be a better option that any of them on the other wing?
Anyway this is my backline
1\. Moltzen
2.Tuiaki
3\. Lawrence
4\. Tuqiri
5\. Tupou
6\. Marshall
7\. Taumata
Anyway this is my backline
1\. Moltzen
2.Tuiaki
3\. Lawrence
4\. Tuqiri
5\. Tupou
6\. Marshall
7\. Taumata
Brett Thurbon
Active member
27 pages, way too much information…........Have we signed Loteor not, can someone confirm please
mikey
Well-known member
@Kul said:
I'd swap Ayshford and Tuqiri. Ayshford's defence and attack at centre was coming on leaps and bounds and Tuqiri is a winger through and through. Love the idea of the Mullaney, Benji, Moltzen combo.
G
Guest
Guest
Wests Tigers say Lote Tuqiri's past is no obstacle as they aim to sign him
By Brent Read and Stuart Honeysett
October 10, 2009
Wests Tigers are confident that the NRL won't stand in their way as they attempt to sign dual international Lote Tuqiri.
Tuqiri is yet to inform the NRL of the reasons for his sacking by the Australian Rugby Union, but the Tigers say Tuqiri's past is not a concern.
While chief executive Stephen Humphreys declined to comment on whether the Tigers had been informed of the reasons for Tuqiri's dismissal, the club would be highly unlikely to take negotiations this far if it believed the NRL would block his return.
Those talks have reached a critical stage. Humphreys and coach Tim Sheens held a meeting with Tuqiri's manager Les Ross on Friday but walked away still unsure as to whether he would join the club.
The saga will draw to a close within days. Humphreys confirmed the club expected to know by the end of next week whether Tuqiri would return to the NRL with the Tigers next season.
"We did have a meeting this afternoon with his manager," Humphreys said.
"It was a positive discussion. "We made some progress on some things but we still have a bit more talking to do." Humphreys said the club was yet to discuss the finer points of any potential contract with Tuqiri or his manager.
However, Tuqiri would have to accept a significant pay cut to return to the NRL rather than play rugby union in Europe or Japan.
It is believed the Tigers could only offer Tuqiri a minimum wage contract for next season - worth about $55,000 - which would be padded out by third-party endorsements.
Though, the deal would escalate over the remaining years. Even at its peak it would go nowhere near the money on offer overseas. With tax concessions, a player of Tuqiri's ilk could earn the equivalent of more than $1million a year in Europe. "I have been pleasantly surprised that money has not been the dominant topic of conversation," Humphreys said.
"Lote is a professional athlete who has been around elite sports for long enough to know the market value for a player like him in the NRL."
The Tigers have already flagged their intentions to play Tuqiri at fullback, given they have been looking to fill the void since Brett Hodgson left at the end of last season.
The club experimented with two options at fullback this season with varying degrees of success including Tim Moltzen and Shannon Gallant.
Tuqiri's recruitment in the No.1 jumper would justify his price tag under the salary cap and also enable coach Tim Sheens to use Moltzen alongside Benji Marshall in the halves.
However, given Tuqiri has only played wing or centre in his career in both rugby league and rugby union, the jury is out as to whether his switch to fullback would be a success.
Tuqiri would still need to appease the NRL given it has asked the former Wallabies winger to disclose details of the incident that led to his sacking before it would register a contract.
That process could be delayed given NRL chief executive David Gallop is on annual leave and not expected back until the end of next week. The NRL has stressed it does not want to make the information public but it is loath to take on something that could turn into another public relations disaster.
The league has had a forgettable season given the scandals involving pin-up boys Brett Stewart and Greg Inglis in separate incidents that are still before the courts.
By Brent Read and Stuart Honeysett
October 10, 2009
Wests Tigers are confident that the NRL won't stand in their way as they attempt to sign dual international Lote Tuqiri.
Tuqiri is yet to inform the NRL of the reasons for his sacking by the Australian Rugby Union, but the Tigers say Tuqiri's past is not a concern.
While chief executive Stephen Humphreys declined to comment on whether the Tigers had been informed of the reasons for Tuqiri's dismissal, the club would be highly unlikely to take negotiations this far if it believed the NRL would block his return.
Those talks have reached a critical stage. Humphreys and coach Tim Sheens held a meeting with Tuqiri's manager Les Ross on Friday but walked away still unsure as to whether he would join the club.
The saga will draw to a close within days. Humphreys confirmed the club expected to know by the end of next week whether Tuqiri would return to the NRL with the Tigers next season.
"We did have a meeting this afternoon with his manager," Humphreys said.
"It was a positive discussion. "We made some progress on some things but we still have a bit more talking to do." Humphreys said the club was yet to discuss the finer points of any potential contract with Tuqiri or his manager.
However, Tuqiri would have to accept a significant pay cut to return to the NRL rather than play rugby union in Europe or Japan.
It is believed the Tigers could only offer Tuqiri a minimum wage contract for next season - worth about $55,000 - which would be padded out by third-party endorsements.
Though, the deal would escalate over the remaining years. Even at its peak it would go nowhere near the money on offer overseas. With tax concessions, a player of Tuqiri's ilk could earn the equivalent of more than $1million a year in Europe. "I have been pleasantly surprised that money has not been the dominant topic of conversation," Humphreys said.
"Lote is a professional athlete who has been around elite sports for long enough to know the market value for a player like him in the NRL."
The Tigers have already flagged their intentions to play Tuqiri at fullback, given they have been looking to fill the void since Brett Hodgson left at the end of last season.
The club experimented with two options at fullback this season with varying degrees of success including Tim Moltzen and Shannon Gallant.
Tuqiri's recruitment in the No.1 jumper would justify his price tag under the salary cap and also enable coach Tim Sheens to use Moltzen alongside Benji Marshall in the halves.
However, given Tuqiri has only played wing or centre in his career in both rugby league and rugby union, the jury is out as to whether his switch to fullback would be a success.
Tuqiri would still need to appease the NRL given it has asked the former Wallabies winger to disclose details of the incident that led to his sacking before it would register a contract.
That process could be delayed given NRL chief executive David Gallop is on annual leave and not expected back until the end of next week. The NRL has stressed it does not want to make the information public but it is loath to take on something that could turn into another public relations disaster.
The league has had a forgettable season given the scandals involving pin-up boys Brett Stewart and Greg Inglis in separate incidents that are still before the courts.
simonthetiger
New member
Lote has done nothing illegal,if they let dopes that drink drive,fight, and worse how would Lote have any trouble whatsoever coming back…....its a complete furfey.
On a positive the Wests Tigers keep getting mentioned which is good for the sponsors and the club.
On a positive the Wests Tigers keep getting mentioned which is good for the sponsors and the club.
BrissieTiger67
Well-known member
**How come they are still asking what he did when this article came out on the 6th**
Revealed: the real reason Lote Tuqiri was sacked
By Phil Rothfield From: The Sunday Telegraph Sun Sep 06 00:00:00 EST 2009 Sun Sep 06 00:00:00 EST 2009 Lote's sacking.
FOOTBALL superstar Lote Tuqiri was sacked by the Australian Rugby Union for breaking strict team rules for taking a woman to his Wallabies hotel room.
At the time, Tuqiri was on his "last warning'' for previous behavioural issues.
Tuqiri's $5 million contract was torn up by ARU boss John O'Neill for taking the guest, a 20-year-old, into his room after a night out in Canberra in the week leading up to a Test.
He met the girl, a university student and the daughter of a respected Canberra family, at a nightclub in Canberra before the pair returned to the Crowne Plaza Hotel.
The Wallabies were staying at the hotel in the second week of June to prepare fora Test match against Italy.
Team management was made aware of Tuqiri's breach of rules the next day.
Tuqiri was not picked in the side for the Test and is believed to have returned home to Sydney before the game. The former rugby league star was sharing a room with team-mate Richard Brown, who was questioned by an ARU disciplinary panel about the evening.
He was reluctant to co-operate because he did not want to dob in a mate. There is no suggestion Brown had anything to do with the woman being in the room.
When approached by The Sunday Telegraph yesterday, Tuqiri refused to offer any comment, other than saying:
"I've signed a confidentiality thing. I'm not into legal stuff but I can't say anything.''
An ARU spokesman said much the same: "We are not at liberty to discuss the Lote Tuqiri termination issue. As Lote wrote in his Sunday Telegraph column last week, a confidentiality clause exists as part of the settlement.''
Tuqiri's shock sacking baffled fans. It is extremely rare for a player in any football code to have a contract torn up in such a public way without explanation.
As a result, rumours swept through rugby union and rugby league circles regarding the circumstances of his dismissal.
In the early stages, ARU boss John O'Neill publicly stated Tuqiri, a father of two, was free to disclose why he was dismissed.
Tuqiri maintained a stony silence. NRL boss David Gallop increased the public pressure on Tuqiri to reveal why he was sacked, telling the player he could not return to league unless he talked about what occurred.
During a painstaking investigation, The Sunday Telegraph discovered O'Neill chose not to go public with details of the incident - despite being accused of a cover-up - out of his respect for the woman and her family.
Even most of O'Neill's senior staff at the ARU have been kept in the dark because of his concerns over the woman being identified and embarrassed.
Tuqiri launched legal action against the ARU for wrongful dismissal. The case was settled out of court for a significant sum after both parties argued at the initial hearing for details to be suppressed from the media.
Tuqiri had a long list of disciplinary breaches, including two major incidents in 2005 and 2007, before he was labelled "Last Chance Lote'' when O'Neill took over as ARU chief executive.
In 2005, Tuqiri and Wendell Sailor were fined and received two-match suspended sentences for being out late in a Cape Town nightclub. Tuqiri was also involved in an argument with team-mate Matt Henjak, who was later sent home from the tour.
In 2007, Tuqiri turned up late to a Wallabies training session and was over the limit when tested on a breathalyser. He received a substantial fine and a two-game suspension as a carry over from the incident in South Africa.
In another incident in Brisbane, he was put on a final warning after a late night during which he invited guests to his hotel room - who were later questioned over the bashing of a taxi driver.
That led to an ARU a curfew before the World Cup in France. At the time, O'Neill said: "It was unacceptable behaviour … our conversation with them has left them in no doubt as to what the ramifications are if there is another offence.''
Tuqiri's solicitor Mark O'Brien and his manager Les Ross refused to return numerous phone calls or text messages from The Sunday Telegraph.
Revealed: the real reason Lote Tuqiri was sacked
By Phil Rothfield From: The Sunday Telegraph Sun Sep 06 00:00:00 EST 2009 Sun Sep 06 00:00:00 EST 2009 Lote's sacking.
FOOTBALL superstar Lote Tuqiri was sacked by the Australian Rugby Union for breaking strict team rules for taking a woman to his Wallabies hotel room.
At the time, Tuqiri was on his "last warning'' for previous behavioural issues.
Tuqiri's $5 million contract was torn up by ARU boss John O'Neill for taking the guest, a 20-year-old, into his room after a night out in Canberra in the week leading up to a Test.
He met the girl, a university student and the daughter of a respected Canberra family, at a nightclub in Canberra before the pair returned to the Crowne Plaza Hotel.
The Wallabies were staying at the hotel in the second week of June to prepare fora Test match against Italy.
Team management was made aware of Tuqiri's breach of rules the next day.
Tuqiri was not picked in the side for the Test and is believed to have returned home to Sydney before the game. The former rugby league star was sharing a room with team-mate Richard Brown, who was questioned by an ARU disciplinary panel about the evening.
He was reluctant to co-operate because he did not want to dob in a mate. There is no suggestion Brown had anything to do with the woman being in the room.
When approached by The Sunday Telegraph yesterday, Tuqiri refused to offer any comment, other than saying:
"I've signed a confidentiality thing. I'm not into legal stuff but I can't say anything.''
An ARU spokesman said much the same: "We are not at liberty to discuss the Lote Tuqiri termination issue. As Lote wrote in his Sunday Telegraph column last week, a confidentiality clause exists as part of the settlement.''
Tuqiri's shock sacking baffled fans. It is extremely rare for a player in any football code to have a contract torn up in such a public way without explanation.
As a result, rumours swept through rugby union and rugby league circles regarding the circumstances of his dismissal.
In the early stages, ARU boss John O'Neill publicly stated Tuqiri, a father of two, was free to disclose why he was dismissed.
Tuqiri maintained a stony silence. NRL boss David Gallop increased the public pressure on Tuqiri to reveal why he was sacked, telling the player he could not return to league unless he talked about what occurred.
During a painstaking investigation, The Sunday Telegraph discovered O'Neill chose not to go public with details of the incident - despite being accused of a cover-up - out of his respect for the woman and her family.
Even most of O'Neill's senior staff at the ARU have been kept in the dark because of his concerns over the woman being identified and embarrassed.
Tuqiri launched legal action against the ARU for wrongful dismissal. The case was settled out of court for a significant sum after both parties argued at the initial hearing for details to be suppressed from the media.
Tuqiri had a long list of disciplinary breaches, including two major incidents in 2005 and 2007, before he was labelled "Last Chance Lote'' when O'Neill took over as ARU chief executive.
In 2005, Tuqiri and Wendell Sailor were fined and received two-match suspended sentences for being out late in a Cape Town nightclub. Tuqiri was also involved in an argument with team-mate Matt Henjak, who was later sent home from the tour.
In 2007, Tuqiri turned up late to a Wallabies training session and was over the limit when tested on a breathalyser. He received a substantial fine and a two-game suspension as a carry over from the incident in South Africa.
In another incident in Brisbane, he was put on a final warning after a late night during which he invited guests to his hotel room - who were later questioned over the bashing of a taxi driver.
That led to an ARU a curfew before the World Cup in France. At the time, O'Neill said: "It was unacceptable behaviour … our conversation with them has left them in no doubt as to what the ramifications are if there is another offence.''
Tuqiri's solicitor Mark O'Brien and his manager Les Ross refused to return numerous phone calls or text messages from The Sunday Telegraph.
innsaneink
Well-known member
It seems as though the journos are guessing
TheSunTanSuperman
New member
@Magpie69 said:
How about you show a little patience and just wait.
Well the press release yesterday sounded positive, lets wait and see, I think Lote will be good for the club, if people wanted an incentive to re-do memberships I am sure his signing will help. My misses is keen to see him play for the Tigers next year and is already talking memberships for next year again.
clontarfkid
Well-known member
@pacey said:
Lotes manager is a past master of string everyone along in negotiations publicly to up the final price,without any real intention of ever signing with most of the parties involved.As he's negotiating for 2010 hes got plenty of time on his side to extract the last cent
Id be very surprised if Lote gave up double the $$ he could get playing rugby somewhere in Japan or Europe to play with us.
Having said that,theres a recognition in Rugby circles that Lotes pace has seriously dropped off in recent years..not good for a winger who'se main job in Rugby is finishing off movements.Maybe the mega $$ hes asking just arent there any more\
@helmesy said:
I agree, Taumata must be in our halves. This is a backline that would put fear into any club we come up against. Creative halves, monster wingers, big, strong, fast exerienced centres, with Motlzen at the back who has proved his worth in the starting 13\. This proposed backline has me very excited.
vlad
Well-known member
@clontarfkid said:
If it was all about $$$ he wouldnt be wasting his time talking to us … we're not jacking up anybody else's offer
AmericanHistoryX
Well-known member
NRL won't palm-off Lote Tuqiri: Wests Tigers Brent Read and Stuart Honeysett | October 10, 2009
Article from: The Australian
LOTE Tuqiri is yet to inform the NRL of the reasons for his sacking by the Australian Rugby Union but Wests Tigers remain comfortable the game's governing body won't stand in their way should they strike a deal to sign the dual international.
While chief executive Stephen Humphreys declined to comment on whether the Tigers had been informed of the reasons for Tuqiri's dismissal, the club would be highly unlikely to take negotiations this far if it believed the NRL would block his return.
Those talks have reached a critical stage. Humphreys and coach Tim Sheens held a meeting with Tuqiri's manager Les Ross yesterday but walked away still unsure as to whether the dual international would join the club.
The saga will draw to a close within days. Humphreys confirmed the club expected to know by the end of next week whether Tuqiri would return to the NRL with the Tigers next season.
"We did have a meeting this afternoon with his manager," Humphreys said.
"It was a positive discussion. "We made some progress on some things but we still have a bit more talking to do." Humphreys said the club was yet to discuss the finer points of any potential contract with Tuqiri or his manager.
However, Tuqiri would have to accept a significant pay cut to return to the NRL rather than play rugby union in Europe or Japan.
It is believed the Tigers could only offer Tuqiri a minimum wage contract for next season - worth about $55,000 - which would be padded out by third-party endorsements.
Though, the deal would escalate over the remaining years. Even at its peak it would go nowhere near the money on offer overseas. With tax concessions, a player of Tuqiri's ilk could earn the equivalent of more than $1million a year in Europe. "I have been pleasantly surprised that money has not been the dominant topic of conversation," Humphreys said.
"Lote is a professional athlete who has been around elite sports for long enough to know the market value for a player like him in the NRL."
The Tigers have already flagged their intentions to play Tuqiri at fullback, given they have been looking to fill the void since Brett Hodgson left at the end of last season.
The club experimented with two options at fullback this season with varying degrees of success including Tim Moltzen and Shannon Gallant.
Tuqiri's recruitment in the No1 jumper would justify his price tag under the salary cap and also enable coach Tim Sheens to use Moltzen alongside Benji Marshall in the halves.
However, given Tuqiri has only played wing or centre in his career in both rugby league and rugby union, the jury is out as to whether his switch to fullback would be a success.
Tuqiri would still need to appease the NRL given it has asked the former Wallaby winger to disclose details of the incident that led to his sacking before it would consider registering a contract.
That process could be delayed given NRL chief executive David Gallop is on annual leave and not expected back until the end of next week. The NRL has stressed it does not want to make the information public but it is loath to take on something that could turn into another public relations disaster.
The league has had a forgettable season given the scandals involving pin-up boys Brett Stewart and Greg Inglis in separate incidents that are still before the courts.
Although Tuqiri has not spoken publicly about the reasons behind his dismissal, it has been reported he was sacked for breaching strict team rules, specifically taking a woman back to his room at the Wallabies hotel.
The Test winger was on his last warning for previous behavioural issues. The matter was eventually settled out of court with both parties signing confidentiality agreements.
Article from: The Australian
LOTE Tuqiri is yet to inform the NRL of the reasons for his sacking by the Australian Rugby Union but Wests Tigers remain comfortable the game's governing body won't stand in their way should they strike a deal to sign the dual international.
While chief executive Stephen Humphreys declined to comment on whether the Tigers had been informed of the reasons for Tuqiri's dismissal, the club would be highly unlikely to take negotiations this far if it believed the NRL would block his return.
Those talks have reached a critical stage. Humphreys and coach Tim Sheens held a meeting with Tuqiri's manager Les Ross yesterday but walked away still unsure as to whether the dual international would join the club.
The saga will draw to a close within days. Humphreys confirmed the club expected to know by the end of next week whether Tuqiri would return to the NRL with the Tigers next season.
"We did have a meeting this afternoon with his manager," Humphreys said.
"It was a positive discussion. "We made some progress on some things but we still have a bit more talking to do." Humphreys said the club was yet to discuss the finer points of any potential contract with Tuqiri or his manager.
However, Tuqiri would have to accept a significant pay cut to return to the NRL rather than play rugby union in Europe or Japan.
It is believed the Tigers could only offer Tuqiri a minimum wage contract for next season - worth about $55,000 - which would be padded out by third-party endorsements.
Though, the deal would escalate over the remaining years. Even at its peak it would go nowhere near the money on offer overseas. With tax concessions, a player of Tuqiri's ilk could earn the equivalent of more than $1million a year in Europe. "I have been pleasantly surprised that money has not been the dominant topic of conversation," Humphreys said.
"Lote is a professional athlete who has been around elite sports for long enough to know the market value for a player like him in the NRL."
The Tigers have already flagged their intentions to play Tuqiri at fullback, given they have been looking to fill the void since Brett Hodgson left at the end of last season.
The club experimented with two options at fullback this season with varying degrees of success including Tim Moltzen and Shannon Gallant.
Tuqiri's recruitment in the No1 jumper would justify his price tag under the salary cap and also enable coach Tim Sheens to use Moltzen alongside Benji Marshall in the halves.
However, given Tuqiri has only played wing or centre in his career in both rugby league and rugby union, the jury is out as to whether his switch to fullback would be a success.
Tuqiri would still need to appease the NRL given it has asked the former Wallaby winger to disclose details of the incident that led to his sacking before it would consider registering a contract.
That process could be delayed given NRL chief executive David Gallop is on annual leave and not expected back until the end of next week. The NRL has stressed it does not want to make the information public but it is loath to take on something that could turn into another public relations disaster.
The league has had a forgettable season given the scandals involving pin-up boys Brett Stewart and Greg Inglis in separate incidents that are still before the courts.
Although Tuqiri has not spoken publicly about the reasons behind his dismissal, it has been reported he was sacked for breaching strict team rules, specifically taking a woman back to his room at the Wallabies hotel.
The Test winger was on his last warning for previous behavioural issues. The matter was eventually settled out of court with both parties signing confidentiality agreements.
southerntiger
New member
Its my recollection Souths were actually prepared to pay him big money. Lets just wait and see. It will happen or it wont. The good news is at least it sounds like the club had done everything it could to make it happen. They appear committed to getting the 1 marquee player every year.
Lote's most welcome
Josh Rakic | October 11, 2009
>
Wests Tigers superstar Benji Marshall has welcomed news of rugby convert Lote Tuqiri possibly returning to the NRL with the Tigers, saying his signature would give the joint venture club the most devastating left- and right-edge attacks in the competition.
>
''I think it would be great for the game to see Lote Tuqiri come back to rugby league,'' Marshall said. ''If he's seriously interested in coming back … it'd be great to have him in our team. Taniela Tuiaki one side and Lote Tuqiri the other. He's a devastating player.''
Benji….puts in his 2 bobs worth.........On the wing.....what about Beau.......C'mon Lote make up your mind......
Josh Rakic | October 11, 2009
>
Wests Tigers superstar Benji Marshall has welcomed news of rugby convert Lote Tuqiri possibly returning to the NRL with the Tigers, saying his signature would give the joint venture club the most devastating left- and right-edge attacks in the competition.
>
''I think it would be great for the game to see Lote Tuqiri come back to rugby league,'' Marshall said. ''If he's seriously interested in coming back … it'd be great to have him in our team. Taniela Tuiaki one side and Lote Tuqiri the other. He's a devastating player.''
Benji….puts in his 2 bobs worth.........On the wing.....what about Beau.......C'mon Lote make up your mind......
