Lote to Wests Tigers?

[BUCKYOU]

Lote Tuqiri reportedly days away from signing with Wests Tigers
By Dean Ritchie

October 09, 2009 Wests Tigers are poised to pull off a massive off-season coup by signing sacked Wallabies winger Lote Tuqiri - the fourth big-name rugby star to return to league in the past two years.

Tuqiri, 30, will link with a Tigers team that already boasts one of the most electrifying backlines in the competition, headed by superstar five-eighth Benji Marshall and powerhouse Taniela Tuiaki.

The Daily Telegraph has reported Tuqiri could put pen to paper on a two-year deal as soon as next week.

The Tigers have put forward two offers for Tuqiri - a pre-Christmas contract and a post-Christmas deal, which would allow him a lucrative short stint with European or Japanese rugby union.

One well-placed source at Wests Tigers said on Thursday night: "The deal is about 95 per cent done. I don't think an announcement is far off at all. It could happen within days."

Tuqiri's manager Les Ross will meet with Tigers CEO Stephen Humphreys on Friday afternoon.

"We have made no secret of the fact that we're interested in him if he's keen to return to the NRL," Humphreys said.

"We have been pretty patient as he has taken his time to think through what he wants the next phase of his sporting career to be. I think now that he's ready to make his decision.

"The meeting that we plan to have with his manager ... we would like to get some clarity around that. We would like to know now where he's at and whether there is potential for a deal or not."

Tuqiri has already been in touch with Tigers coach Tim Sheens this week.

Even though the deal is not 100 per cent secured, Wests Tigers have discussed playing Tuqiri on the wing early next year before a mid-season switch to fullback.

Tuqiri was on the verge of signing with French rugby union club Bayonne but the deal soured.

Last month, it was revealed that Balmain great Benny Elias was attempting to organise third-party agreements for Tuqiri.

NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley said the NRL would seek an explanation from Tuqiri about the incident that saw him sacked by the ARU before allowing him back into rugby league.

"We have said in the past that it is normal practice in any business, where an employee has left an employer, to privately ask the reason why," he said.

"Not for publication, but to understand the reasons. Our position hasn't changed."

Tuqiri's signing would have significant ramifications for the club on and off the field. As well as allowing Tim Moltzen to return to halfback - Tuqiri would likely play fullback - captain Robbie Farah hailed his potential signing as a signal of intent from the club.

"It would be great to get him," Farah said.

"He's a dual international. He's achieved everything in both the codes. It's not just on the field but off the field, it's going to be massive for the club.

"On the field it would be great for us, someone with his size and strength and speed, I would love to have him.

"It shows the ambition of the club when you bring those sort of marquee players in.

"We brought Gareth Ellis last year. He's probably one of the best signings the club has ever made. Bringing someone in like Lote, it's going to show that the club is heading in the right direction."

Tuqiri isn't the only player on the Tigers' radar. The club is also circling former New Zealand international Jason Cayless and Melbourne Storm prop Jeff Lima.

Tuqiri, however, is the biggest prize. He remains one of the highest profile footballers in the country and, at the age of 30, could still press for State of Origin and Test honours should he return to the NRL and rediscover anything close to his best form.

"We expected by this week he would be able to tell us where he is at and how things are," Humphreys said.

"We still believe we're on that timing. I would like to think we would be fairly enlightened after that meeting.

"I think if he was to come back to the NRL a lot of it would be about re-establishing himself. He would want to make it a successful stint.

"If he can come back with us ... and score a bagful of tries -- that's in his reckoning."

FoxSports

[BUCKYOU]

be great to see him back in rugby league!

[DIEHARD]

Come back gome Lote. I'm sure he will go even better than Sailor's successful return.