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Leinster to sign Lote Tuqiri on short-term deal
Irish province to agree three-month deal for former Wallaby and Kangaroo international
Leinster are set to sign Fijian-born former Australian international wing Lote Tuqiri on a three month contract. He is due to arrive as cover for Springbok Zane Kirchner whose current involvement in the Rugby Championship with South Africa has put back his arrival date in Ireland until October.
The dual code international, who will be 34 in a fortnight, is expected to arrive in Dublin over the weekend and will link up again with Leinster coach Matt O’Connor for a second time. Tuqiri spent a season (2009-2010) at the Leicester Tigers where O’Connor previously coached.
The six foot three inch Tuqiri won 67 caps for Australia between 2003 and 2009 scoring 30 tries before switching back in 2010 to rugby league and a contract with the Wests Tigers in the NRL. He suffered broken arms in both the 2011 and 2012 campaigns.
The unfortunate injury that befell Eoin O’Malley forcing him to retire from the game meant that Leinster are looking, not for another centre as they feel they have adequate cover in that area, but a back three player. Tuqiri though is here to cover Kirchner’s absence.
Tuqiri offers a huge physical presence and at his best was one of the most devastating try scorers in world rugby.
He initially started in league with the Brisbane Broncos (1999-2002) and played for the Kangaroos - Australian national side in league - both before and after his career in union.Meanwhile Leinster confirmed that Luke Fitzgerald felt tightness in his groin during the second half of the province’s impressive bonus point win over the Scarlets in the RaboDirect Pro12 at the weekend and was withdrawn as a precaution.
Tighthead prop Martin Moore, the opening try scorer in the victory, received treatment for a cut on his nose which required stitches. It is hoped that both players will be available ahead of Friday’s midday team announcement.Fergus McFadden was a late withdrawal from the game at Parc y Scarlets with a tight hamstring, but it is expected that he will be in the frame this week and he could be joined by Ian Madigan. Sean O’Brien continues to make positive strides on his arm injury and is expected to return over the coming weeks.
Michael Bent (neck), however, is still unavailable while Quinn Roux rolled his ankle in training and is a doubt for Saturday’s game.
Three players made their Leinster debut against the Scarlets, St Mary’s College winger Darragh Fanning, outhalf Jimmy Gopperth who scored 22 points and Ireland secondrow Mike McCarthy.
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Good luck to him. Take the cash while he can, and not away from his family for too long.
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Yeah best of luck Lote. I’m glad he managed to get back on the field at least. He was good in 2010 and 2011. Hopefully the timing means he can still pop down to Concord during the winter.
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Hopefully he comes back in a non-playing role as an ambassador of some sort
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Hopefully Lote can stay injury free during his stint with Leinster. At 34 this may be his swan song.
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Don’t be surprised if Lote is trying to impress the Tigers management in his small stint with a view to signing a one year deal back at Concord
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Nice little earner for him over the off season…
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Would like him as a mentor for the young backs, and also as a scout in Fiji to sign up the best talent from over there.
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Good decision. Now that frees up some more cash for us . Good luck Lotte you are gentleman
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Don’t be surprised if Lote is trying to impress the Tigers management in his small stint with a view to signing a one year deal back at Concord
X 2 Was thinking the exact same thing , and if it does pan out will help with some more match fitness and help get his timing back
Not sure if he would be surplus to requirements and waste a valuable spot in the Top 25
If 2013 has proven anything having the right mix in our Top 25 is imperative especially if we end up using 30 odd players again
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Don’t be surprised if Lote is trying to impress the Tigers management in his small stint with a view to signing a one year deal back at Concord
I wonder how IAN sCHUBERT WOULD FEEL ABOUT THAT?
Good luck to Lote, a class act…all the best champion -
shouldn’t lote still be contracted with us until october?
if that’s the case he should be playing state cup atm imo
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Would he qualify for NSW Cup after only a few games for them?
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No, he’s played what, 1 or 2 games? You need a lot more im pretty sure.
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isnt the criteria that u need not have played X amounts of first grade games?
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