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Queensland State of Origin selectors to keep eye on Lote Tuqiri's progress
By Christian Nicolussi From: The Daily Telegraph March 17, 2010 12:00AM Increase LOTE Tuqiri's flowing locks have caught the eye of the Queensland selectors.
As the Wests Tigers' new recruit cooled off yesterday in the wake of his sparkling return to the NRL, Maroons selector Des Morris said his panel would track Tuqiri's progress in the countdown to Origin I in Sydney on May 26.
"We'll keep a close eye on Lote's progress. With Justin Hodges unavailable we are going to have a few changes, so it's great to have some depth there, particularly someone of his quality," Morris said.
Tigers coach Tim Sheens did not put it past his prized recruit helping Queensland to a fifth consecutive series win over NSW.
Tuqiri's teammates continued to sing his praises after his fairytale return to the NRL that featured a try with his first touch on Monday night.
"I expected him to have a good game, but I didn't think he'd have a blinder," forward Liam Fulton said yesterday. "He's an amazing player, super strong and I can't wait to keep playing with him."
Asked what Tuqiri brings to the Tigers, Fulton quipped: "Size, strength and hopefully 50 tries."
Gareth Ellis, who brought up his first four-pointer in Tigers colours, said Tuqiri's inclusion had given the squad a buzz.
Interestingly, Tuqiri returned to the same locker at the SFS on Monday that he used during his rugby career with the Waratahs.
Meanwhile, Wests Tigers officials were last night debating whether to defend a crusher tackle charge against winger Beau Ryan that could see him rubbed out of the game for a month.
Just hours after Keith Galloway announced he had extended his deal at the club until the end of 2013 - and the love affair with new recruit Lote Tuqiri continued at the team's recovery at Enfield pool - the news filtered through that Ryan had been slapped with a grade-three dangerous contact charge by the match review committee.
Three Manly players were also put on report during the Tigers' 26-22 come-from-behind win on Monday at the SFS, where , but Ryan - who was not penalised during the game - was the player with most to lose.
Ryan will miss three matches should he accept blame for his 65th-minute tackle on Michael Robertson and ditch tonight's hearing.
Tigers chief executive Stephen Humphreys struggled to understand how Ryan was more harshly treated than the Manly trio who left Liam Fulton and Daniel Fitzhenry requiring on-field assistance, and Chris Heighington with a broken nose.
"I think if you polled 100 people to grade the incidents from the game, I don't think anybody would put Beau at the top of the list," Humphreys said. "We're very surprised the match review committee has deemed Beau's tackle more serious than the other three (on report).
"Our first instincts are to challenge it, we've consulted our legal team, but we'll sleep on it before we make a decision."
A Tigers official said the club was mindful of the risk of challenging another case and losing, which happened with Bryce Gibbs last season.
By Christian Nicolussi From: The Daily Telegraph March 17, 2010 12:00AM Increase LOTE Tuqiri's flowing locks have caught the eye of the Queensland selectors.
As the Wests Tigers' new recruit cooled off yesterday in the wake of his sparkling return to the NRL, Maroons selector Des Morris said his panel would track Tuqiri's progress in the countdown to Origin I in Sydney on May 26.
"We'll keep a close eye on Lote's progress. With Justin Hodges unavailable we are going to have a few changes, so it's great to have some depth there, particularly someone of his quality," Morris said.
Tigers coach Tim Sheens did not put it past his prized recruit helping Queensland to a fifth consecutive series win over NSW.
Tuqiri's teammates continued to sing his praises after his fairytale return to the NRL that featured a try with his first touch on Monday night.
"I expected him to have a good game, but I didn't think he'd have a blinder," forward Liam Fulton said yesterday. "He's an amazing player, super strong and I can't wait to keep playing with him."
Asked what Tuqiri brings to the Tigers, Fulton quipped: "Size, strength and hopefully 50 tries."
Gareth Ellis, who brought up his first four-pointer in Tigers colours, said Tuqiri's inclusion had given the squad a buzz.
Interestingly, Tuqiri returned to the same locker at the SFS on Monday that he used during his rugby career with the Waratahs.
Meanwhile, Wests Tigers officials were last night debating whether to defend a crusher tackle charge against winger Beau Ryan that could see him rubbed out of the game for a month.
Just hours after Keith Galloway announced he had extended his deal at the club until the end of 2013 - and the love affair with new recruit Lote Tuqiri continued at the team's recovery at Enfield pool - the news filtered through that Ryan had been slapped with a grade-three dangerous contact charge by the match review committee.
Three Manly players were also put on report during the Tigers' 26-22 come-from-behind win on Monday at the SFS, where , but Ryan - who was not penalised during the game - was the player with most to lose.
Ryan will miss three matches should he accept blame for his 65th-minute tackle on Michael Robertson and ditch tonight's hearing.
Tigers chief executive Stephen Humphreys struggled to understand how Ryan was more harshly treated than the Manly trio who left Liam Fulton and Daniel Fitzhenry requiring on-field assistance, and Chris Heighington with a broken nose.
"I think if you polled 100 people to grade the incidents from the game, I don't think anybody would put Beau at the top of the list," Humphreys said. "We're very surprised the match review committee has deemed Beau's tackle more serious than the other three (on report).
"Our first instincts are to challenge it, we've consulted our legal team, but we'll sleep on it before we make a decision."
A Tigers official said the club was mindful of the risk of challenging another case and losing, which happened with Bryce Gibbs last season.
