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Brisbane Broncos confirm interest in dumped Wallabies winger Lote Tuqiri
July 02, 2009
Brisbane Broncos have joined the growing list of NRL clubs interested in picking up dumped Wallabies winger Lote Tuqiri if rugby union's million-dollar man wants to return to rugby league.
"We'd be very happy to take him back," said Brisbane coach Ivan Henjak when Tuqiri's named was thrown up after the Broncos trained on Thursday morning.
Tuqiri played all his 99 NRL games for the Broncos, winning the 2000 premiership and representing Queensland and Australia as well as playing three Tests for his native Fiji before rugby union swooped with a mind-boggling offer to switch codes in 2003.
"It's a pity they didn't release him a few days earlier," added Henjak with the NRL's deadline to register player expiring on Tuesday.
While the registration deadline is officially June 30 for clubs, NRL chief executive David Gallop has the power to grant an exception if the circumstances warrant.
Brisbane this week took former defensive enforcer Tonie Carroll back from retirement and several years ago welcomed back another old favourite Allan Langer after he quite the club and went to England to play.
"We'd have a look at it, he'd be a good addition," said Henjak.
"I don't mind the old fellows, there's plenty in the NRL doing a good job.
When reminded Tuqiri's salary was around $1 million a season, Henjak smiled and said "he might come back home at a discount price."
"I'm sure he'd have a lot to offer as long as his attitude was good and he was in good shape and with his experience, he would have a tremendous amount to offer.
"We haven't considered it yet. It's only just happened but it's something we can talk about.
With young fullback Karmichael Hunt confirming he would head overseas with his girlfriend to play rugby union next year, Tuqiri would be a good pick up for Brisbane who could consider another of options for the fullback job, including even playing Justin Hodges in the role.
But Brisbane captain Darren Lockyer said he doubted his good friend Tuqiri would return to the NRL given the amount of money he could get playing rugby overseas.
"I'm sure there'll be clubs who will talk to him but we can't compete with the money those guys can get overseas.
"We'd love to see him back in a Broncos jersey, but that's very ambitious.
"We have to be careful of setting precedents and it's all just come to light in the last 24 hours so a lot of things have to happen before he makes a decision.
"But I'm sure there'd be plenty of clubs, league and union in Australia and overseas, looking to get his signature."
Lockyer said he would wait for the dust to settle before talking to Tuqiri.
"It will be interesting to see what happens," he said.
"I'm sure in the last 24 hours he has has plenty of phone calls but when the dust settles I'll probably get in contact with him."
Other NRL clubs, including Gold Coast Titans and Parramatta, haven't wasted any time declaring their interest in 29 year-old dual international, who has one of the best resumes around.
Apart from his rugby league record, he has represented the Wallabies 64 times, scoring 30 tries.
AAP
July 02, 2009
Brisbane Broncos have joined the growing list of NRL clubs interested in picking up dumped Wallabies winger Lote Tuqiri if rugby union's million-dollar man wants to return to rugby league.
"We'd be very happy to take him back," said Brisbane coach Ivan Henjak when Tuqiri's named was thrown up after the Broncos trained on Thursday morning.
Tuqiri played all his 99 NRL games for the Broncos, winning the 2000 premiership and representing Queensland and Australia as well as playing three Tests for his native Fiji before rugby union swooped with a mind-boggling offer to switch codes in 2003.
"It's a pity they didn't release him a few days earlier," added Henjak with the NRL's deadline to register player expiring on Tuesday.
While the registration deadline is officially June 30 for clubs, NRL chief executive David Gallop has the power to grant an exception if the circumstances warrant.
Brisbane this week took former defensive enforcer Tonie Carroll back from retirement and several years ago welcomed back another old favourite Allan Langer after he quite the club and went to England to play.
"We'd have a look at it, he'd be a good addition," said Henjak.
"I don't mind the old fellows, there's plenty in the NRL doing a good job.
When reminded Tuqiri's salary was around $1 million a season, Henjak smiled and said "he might come back home at a discount price."
"I'm sure he'd have a lot to offer as long as his attitude was good and he was in good shape and with his experience, he would have a tremendous amount to offer.
"We haven't considered it yet. It's only just happened but it's something we can talk about.
With young fullback Karmichael Hunt confirming he would head overseas with his girlfriend to play rugby union next year, Tuqiri would be a good pick up for Brisbane who could consider another of options for the fullback job, including even playing Justin Hodges in the role.
But Brisbane captain Darren Lockyer said he doubted his good friend Tuqiri would return to the NRL given the amount of money he could get playing rugby overseas.
"I'm sure there'll be clubs who will talk to him but we can't compete with the money those guys can get overseas.
"We'd love to see him back in a Broncos jersey, but that's very ambitious.
"We have to be careful of setting precedents and it's all just come to light in the last 24 hours so a lot of things have to happen before he makes a decision.
"But I'm sure there'd be plenty of clubs, league and union in Australia and overseas, looking to get his signature."
Lockyer said he would wait for the dust to settle before talking to Tuqiri.
"It will be interesting to see what happens," he said.
"I'm sure in the last 24 hours he has has plenty of phone calls but when the dust settles I'll probably get in contact with him."
Other NRL clubs, including Gold Coast Titans and Parramatta, haven't wasted any time declaring their interest in 29 year-old dual international, who has one of the best resumes around.
Apart from his rugby league record, he has represented the Wallabies 64 times, scoring 30 tries.
AAP
