Tuqiri content to focus on current challenges

[tigersrule4life]

AFTER a frustrating 2011 season, Lote Tuqiri just wants to return to the field for Wests Tigers before considering his future.

The 32-year-old returned to the NRL two years ago after a successful stint in rugby union but is off contract after this season.

But after last year dogged by injuries, the dual international just wants to recover from wrist surgery before discussing his career beyond this year.

“It was a frustrating year for me last year,” Tuqiri told the Courier at Rozelle gym Sweatbox last Wednesday.

“I can’t wait to play a bit of footy this year.

“Last year there were a few setbacks and then coming back from injury doing something else totally unrelated sort of compounded things.”

Tuqiri said the Tigers have the squad to be premiership contenders, but need to put the disappointment of the past two seasons behind them.

“The last two years have been disappointing the way we ended things,” he said.

“I guess that’s the thing we need to build on this season.

“I know we’ve got the team there to definitely go a long way.

“That’s one thing but we’ve got to put it out on the field when it really matters and we just didn’t do that last year.”

Tuqiri said he was “just trying to get myself right” before thinking about his playing future.
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http://inner-west-courier.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/tuqiri-content-to-focus-on-current-challenges/

 

[T-D-C]

Why am I getting this Tuiaki feeling about this injury?

 

[Guest]

Why am I getting this Tuiaki feeling about this injury?

Lote will be back, it just won't be in round 1.

 

[Kul]

As per the other thread, just yesterday when asked, Lote said Round 3
He said could play earlier but won't risk it. Fair call, the opening rounds are usually just warm up games

 

[TIGER]

I love the guy but he was awful last year, even imo single-handedly cost us a few games. I recall myself yelling at the tv a number of times to "get him off" after watching him crab sideways and lose the ball at crucial times.
Hopefully we can see the best of him this year because we all know he can be devastating but sadly i think now his best is way behind him. Unless he's fully wound up he's just too easy to tackle, he's too sluggish off the mark these days.
Sorry Lote just calling it as i see it.

 

[alexaki]

I hope his wrist injury doesn't lead to the same fumbled balls we saw from Lote last year…

 

[LaT]

I love the guy but he was awful last year, even imo single-handedly cost us a few games. I recall myself yelling at the tv a number of times to "get him off" after watching him crab sideways and lose the ball at crucial times.
Hopefully we can see the best of him this year because we all know he can be devastating but sadly i think now his best is way behind him. Unless he's fully wound up he's just too easy to tackle, he's too sluggish off the mark these days.
Sorry Lote just calling it as i see it.

I don't think he was as bad as that. Certainly in his first game or two back he made a few bad errors, and never never reached his peak, but he was still contributing in a positive way towards the back end of the season.

Last year was an anomaly, I think we will see him back in top form in no time this year. He is still class.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

I'd still back him. Total class, and as they say, it's permanent.

 

[softlaw]

trying to control a football in contact with that huge plaster on his arm couldn;t have been easy.
He'll be back in top form from rnd 5 or 6 this year I think.

 

[Guest]

Unfortunately his arm injury really did hamper his ability to hold the ball securely late last season when he came back from an extended lay-off. Lote has never lacked confidence and self-belief so hopefully this year will be a strong one for him.

 

[happy_tiger]

I'd still back him. Total class, and as they say, it's permanent.

And he is a Qlder He won't let us down

 

[Goose]

he barely played last year, hard to say he was terrible

 

[Mistadobalina]

He's still the best winger we have, by far.

 

[Frazer4Wests]

When he is "on" he is one of the strongest return ball runners in the game.

But when he is "off" he is terrible.

Unforunatly their is no inbetween,Rocks or diamonds.

I hope diamonds.

 

[jirskyr]

I've not seen Tuqiri make howlers as bad as Timmy Moltzen. Looking forward to a return to 2010 injury-free form.

 

[851]

I've not seen Tuqiri make howlers as bad as Timmy Moltzen. Looking forward to a return to 2010 injury-free form.

Thats a fair point,we all hope Lote regains his fitness and form,but we do have cover at least this year.

 

[russelldp]

Let's hope that bloody arm guard does not appear this year- it badly affected his handling!
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[Snake]

It's a long season better wait for a fully fit Lote at this stage of the season .. it takes 6 weeks for a team to start to gel.

 

[barra]

It'll take Lote a while to get back in the groove, have confidence in his arm and consistently use his size and power which are his greatest assets. He'll be back…

 

[21sixers]

It'll take Lote a while to get back in the groove, have confidence in his arm and consistently use his size and power which are his greatest assets. He'll be back…

what about his thumb? now he has another worry in the back of his mind when hes "_getting back in the groove_"
i jus hope he ripps in this season and doesnt play like a pusstcat like last year he needs some tigosterone maybe :wink: