Titans: Let's get Lote!

[Tamwelg]

Titans hoping Tuqiri will join Rogers
Wednesday, January 17, 2007 - 6:36 PM

The Gold Coast Titans are hoping Lote Tuqiri's close friendship with former Wallaby teammate Mat Rogers will be enough to convince the damaging winger to join the NRL newcomers following this year's Rugby World Cup.

Titans managing director Michael Searle said he expected to hold talks with Tuqiri's business mentor Les Ross next week in a bid to persuade the barnstorming Fijian to follow in the footsteps of Rogers.

"He's obviously got a relationship with Matty Rogers, which I think would help us," Searle told AAP.

"I know they still talk a bit so I'm sure that'll come into play.

"From our point of view I think we've got the capacity to entice him here. We're as good a chance as the next club.

"I had meetings with him a couple of months ago just on a social level to talk about the opportunities and he was genuinely excited then.

"I'd just be happy for him to come back to rugby league."

The loss of classy wingers Steve Turner and Brian Carney this week has freed up plenty of room under the salary cap for the Titans to recruit a marquee player such as Tuqiri.

Turner will stick with Melbourne after a bitter dispute between the Storm and Gold Coast was resolved on Monday night while Great Britain international Carney made a shock decision to quit the game only hours later.

With at least eight NRL clubs chasing Tuqiri if he decides to leave rugby, the Titans will have a battle on their hands but they're quietly confident.

Tuqiri has already rejected a massive Australian Rugby Union offer - believed to be $3 million over four years - to stay in the 15-man code after the World Cup in France.

It indicates that like Rogers, who was granted a release from his $650,000-a-year ARU contract last month, money is not a chief motivating factor for Tuqiri in reaching a decision.

"Mat Rogers made the tough decision (to come back to rugby league)," pointed out Searle.

"Having a strike weapon like Lote Tuqiri would be nice."

Ross said he wanted to have Tuqiri's future sorted by the end of February to help his client prepare for the Super 14 season with the NSW Waratahs.

Meanwhile, Searle said the only contact he'd had with Carney since a press conference to announce the Irishman was heading home was a text message sent Tuesday night wishing him well for the future.

"I had to talk him off the plane on Monday night," revealed Searle.

"I have no idea where he is."

In other news, Rogers is expected back at training Thursday after suffering a minor ankle injury in his first training session for the Titans on Tuesday.

Searle said later that day the injury-prone Rogers underwent a cardio-vascular session with trainer Billy Johnstone and walked freely at a team meeting.

Found this in the nrl.com.au news

[Steve]

I think it'd be great if we could get him, but i'm not too worried.
Rogers and Petersen should be able to fill the wing slots quite comfortably (when not injured!), and between the Qld Cup players and the few school boys who were in awesome form in Europe, I think we'll do just fine.
I'm all for blooding the young lads, what a start to their NRL career that would be.

Still, we'll see what happens. Who knows, he could just be holding out for a 4million contract, 3mil over 4 years, hardly worth slipping the boots on for!

[SuperCliffy#01]

I don't care where he plays as long as it is with Manly.cya. :rotflmao:

[Cowboys_Rabbit_Fan]

I think it'd be great if we could get him, but i'm not too worried.
Rogers and Petersen should be able to fill the wing slots quite comfortably (when not injured!), and between the Qld Cup players and the few school boys who were in awesome form in Europe, I think we'll do just fine.
I'm all for blooding the young lads, what a start to their NRL career that would be.

Still, we'll see what happens. Who knows, he could just be holding out for a 4million contract, 3mil over 4 years, hardly worth slipping the boots on for!

Mat Rogers has told the Titans managers and all those people that a condition of him signing with them is that he doesn't play on the wing. That's one of the reasons he left league in the first place. I don't think we'll see Mat Rogers playing wing mate.

[Steve]

Mat Rogers has told the Titans managers and all those people that a condition of him signing with them is that he doesn't play on the wing. That's one of the reasons he left league in the first place. I don't think we'll see Mat Rogers playing wing mate.

I guess Mathers on the wing then.

[Future Star]

I guess Mathers on the wing then.

Rogers as centre, Mathers as full-back, Walker and Barnes on wing.

[Queenslander]

Rogers hopes Tuqiri will join Gold Coast

Friday, January 19, 2007 - 2:55 PM

Mat Rogers doesn't know whether his good friend Lote Tuqiri will join him at the Gold Coast Titans but he's certain of one thing - he'd much rather run with him than against him.

Titans managing director Michael Searle expects to hold talks with the Tuqiri camp next week about him coming on board the NRL newcomers following this year's Rugby World Cup.

Searle said earlier this week the close bond between Rogers and Tuqiri could only benefit the Titans, one of eight NRL clubs chasing the Wallaby and NSW Waratahs back.

Rogers, who caused a scare when he suffered a minor ankle injury during his first Titans training session on Tuesday, said he'd only discussed Tuqiri's future with him in a light-hearted manner.

"I've spoken to him but it's so far away from a decision being made, it's all just a bit of joking and ribbing at the moment," said Rogers, who is likely to play centre for the Titans.

"It's all hearsay. Lote's got a big year to focus on ... but I'd love to play with him.

"He's an awesome player and an awesome athlete. I'd much rather him running the ball with me than running it at me.

"If he wants to come back to rugby league then I don't think there'd be a better place for him to come."

Having not played in the NRL since late 2001, Rogers said he was feeling the pressure of expectations, but only from himself.

"Absolutely I feel pressure," he said after accepting a $115,000 Audi Q7 four-wheel drive from a club sponsor.

"The only reason there's pressure is because I care about what my teammates think and what I think.

"I don't feel it from the outside, it's more from within."

The injury-prone Rogers, who said his right ankle was fine, will spend the next few weeks in a rehabilitation group under tough trainer Billy Johnstone.

Just four weeks out from the club's opening trial against Melbourne, Rogers is well behind his teammates in terms of fitness due to a holiday following his decision to quit rugby union last month.

"I missed eight weeks of training that the boys had already done," the utility noted.

"I'm not fit enough yet and that's why I have to spend a couple of weeks with Billy.

"He'll whip me into shape for sure."

Rogers said he was impressed at the progress of the Titans squad in the lead-up to its opening premiership match, against St George Illawarra in Brisbane on March 18.

"The quality of the players we've got now, it's pretty special," the 30-year-old said.

"I watched the boys train this morning and I was shaking my head at how sharp they looked to be honest.

"They've only really been doing the footy side of things for the last 10 days.

"I think we can expect a lot from the Gold Coast and the boys will be disappointed if we don't have a successful year."

Source: AAP

[Tamwelg]

Rogers as centre, Mathers as full-back, Walker and Barnes on wing.

Mathers full back, Rogers and Webster centres and Walker and Peterson on the wings. But were getting off topic a bit, let's concentrate on getting Lote in this thread

[Future Star]

Mathers full back, Rogers and Webster centres and Walker and Peterson on the wings. But were getting off topic a bit, let's concentrate on getting Lote in this thread

Barnes > Peterson.

If Lote is signed, Webster will move out to wing, barnes won't play first-grade bar injury, and they will have Lote and Rogers as centres.

Thats my guess.

[bigjim]

Lote is a bit of an enigma.

Difficult to know what really motivates him.

If money is the leading issue, he'll go to the Reds.

If money is important, but not the determing factor, he will likely join his old mate at the Titans.

If money is of no consideration at all, he will go to the Broncos.

Can't wait to see which way the ball bounces. :rotflmao:

[DIEHARD]

Titans make first move on Lote

Gold Coast makes its first play to lure Lote Tuqiri back to the code today, with the star wing's manager Les Ross meeting with Titans chief Michael Searle.

Tuqiri, 27, has flagged his interest in returning to rugby league following this year's World Cup in France and is on record saying he would like to move back to Queensland to allow his 18-month-old son to be closer to his extended family.

His history with Wayne Bennett and the Broncos means Brisbane will always be an option for the Fiji-born flyer, although managing director Bruno Cullen conceded the club would struggle to compete financially with other potential bidders.

Searle was equally adamant Tuqiri would need to take a sizeable pay cut from the reported $800,000-a-year offer tabled by the Australian Rugby Union, but said the loss of wings Steve Turner and Brian Carney had freed up what will be much-needed funds if the deal is to go beyond tomorrow's preliminary discussions.

"We have some capacity within our salary cap," Searle said.

"It's not a huge capacity, but we do have some room to move."

Searle said the club would use tomorrow's meeting to gauge the sincerity of Tuqiri's interest in a possible move to Gold Coast, where he would line up alongside good friend and fellow dual international, Mat Rogers.

"We just want to see exactly where he's at and see just how interested he is in coming back to rugby league," Searle said.

"Lote has said it isn't just about the money for him, but we need to find out what his expectations are."

It looms as a hectic day for Searle, who also plans to finalise the release of Turner after a specialist in Melbourne cleared youngster Smith Samau of a serious shoulder injury.

The Titans will open contract negotiations with Samau, 20, and Daniel Isaac, 19, who were offered by the Storm in exchange for Turner, who will be formally released once the young duo has signed on with the Gold Coast.

Elsewhere, Sydney Roosters fullback Anthony Minichiello, named in a preliminary NSW squad yesterday, will make his return from a serious back injury in the club's opening trial against Wests Tigers in three weeks.

Minichiello hasn't played since having a millimetre shaved from his spine in May last year, the injury costing him his NSW and Australia jerseys.

He resumed full training this week and is itching to kick-start his stalled career.

Despite not having laced a boot in seven months, Blues selectors showed how highly they regard Minichiello by including him in a 26-man squad for the upcoming State of Origin series.

The squad, which will take part in an overnight camp in Sydney's eastern suburbs this weekend, includes six players who are yet to make their Origin debuts, St George-Illawarra back rower Ben Creagh, Melbourne forward Ryan Hoffman, Bulldogs utility Reni Maitua, Manly halfback Matt Orford, Roosters prop Anthony Tupou and Dragons utility Dean Young.

All bar Young, Orford and Hoffman have played Test football.

The most notable omission was Sharks captain Brett Kimmorley.

"It's always nice to be named in those things," Minichiello said. "It's going to be pretty exciting getting back in camp and seeing the boys."

A former winner of the Golden Boot - awarded yearly to the world's best player - Minichiello has made eight appearances for NSW.

In his absence, Wests Tigers captain Brett Hodgson filled in last year.

Minichiello, however, only has to regain something close to his best form to win an Origin recall.

The first step in that process will take place on February 17 when the Roosters meet the Tigers in a pre-season game at Aussie Stadium.

"I think we're all going to have a game," Minichiello said.

"We have a new coach, new patterns and new players. I'm excited to be playing with the new guys and can't wait to get back on the field."

In other news, Sharks and AFL club Carlton will train together when the Sharks head to Cooma for the NRL's annual community carnival, from February 7-9.

The NRL yesterday unveiled its plans for the annual venture, in which representatives of the 16 clubs visit country centres. This year the pre-season pilgrimage will also take in Adelaide and Perth.

Source: http://www.FOXSPORTS.com.au

[DIEHARD]

Storm cools on pricey Lote

GOLD Coast Titans is poised to step up the bid to woo Lote Tuqiri back to rugby league, the fledging club preparing to table a formal offer to the Australia rugby wing next month.

On the same day Melbourne Storm officials ruled the club out of the race for Tuqiri's prized signature, Titans managing director Michael Searle confirmed his club remained heavily interested in recruiting the former Brisbane Broncos star once his contract with the Australian Rugby Union expires after this year's Rugby World Cup.

Searle met Tuqiri's manager Les Ross at the Titans' offices yesterday and emerged confident the Fijian-born star was genuinely interested in a return to the 13-man code.

With plenty of room to move within the $4 million salary cap after the loss of Great Britain international Brian Carney and Storm winger Steve Turner, the Titans will table their offer within the next six weeks.

"It was a very productive meeting and we will certainly be taking things to the next level and submit a formal offer for Lote to consider," Searle said.

"It gave us a chance to let him know what the Titans are about as an organisation as well as listen to what he had to say.

"We both laid our cards on the table and we believe he is sincere about wanting to come back to the NRL, which would just be sensational for the game."

Searle said the chance for Tuqiri to move wife Rebekka and 18-month-old son Samson closer to family in Queensland was another factor which would aid the Titans' ambitious bid.

"With a young family the fact he wouldn't be overseas for long periods throughout the year, as would be the case if he stayed in union, is something we discussed," Searle said.

"Most of their family lives up this way and there is also the advantage of being able to bring up a young family in an environment like the Gold Coast."

While the Titans remain keen, Tuqiri's asking price is eating away at his potential suitors in rugby league, with Melbourne yesterday confirming it had withdrawn its interest in the star outside back.

The Victorian club held informal discussions over the prospect of recruiting Tuqiri but was scared away by his contract demands, believed to be in the vicinity of $800,000 a season.

While Tuqiri's profile would have been a huge boost for last year's grand finalist, it would also have been financially irresponsible for the club to outlay that amount of money on an outside back.

"We would have been interested because he would have been good for the game down here," Storm chief executive Brian Waldron said.

"But given the pay structure we have, with a number of representative players, it's not economically viable."

Melbourne's decision is symptomatic of the sceptical feeling within rugby league that Tuqiri is using the code to drive up his price in rugby.

One club official told The Australian that Tuqiri's management had indicated he had no interest in accepting a pay cut to return to the game, meaning if his demands were met, he would become the highest paid player in the code.

While Tuqiri is a genuine superstar, even his ability pales in comparison to Darren Lockyer and Andrew Johns, regarded as two of the greatest players of their era.

The only outside back earning that sort of money is St George-Illawarra centre Mark Gasnier. Gasnier, however, will start this season at five-eighth as the Dragons look to make better use of his talents. That option would not be available to a club signing Tuqiri.

Also on the Gold Coast yesterday, the final chapter of the long-running Turner feud came to an end, with youngsters Daniel Isaac and Smith Samau agreeing to terms with the Titans.

The duo was offered as part of a trade to allow Turner to remain at Melbourne, with Searle formalising Turner's release last night and ending the saga which has dragged on for almost six months.

Source: http://www.FOXSPORTS.com.au

[mb63]

Seems like Lote soesn't want to take a pay cut to return to league,if he wants too much let him stay in Union where he doesn't really want to be.