$600,000 to lure Lote
Peter Badel
February 10, 2007 11:00pm
Article from: The Sunday Mail (Qld)
WALLABY star Lote Tuqiri is prepared to rock the Australian Rugby Union and return to league if bidding NRL clubs deliver a financial package in excess of $600,000.
As Tuqiri enters the decisive stage of negotiations, The Sunday Mail can reveal the dual international will consider taking a significant pay cut to complete a code switch.
It was rumoured NRL clubs would lack the financial muscle and corporate resources to lure Tuqiri in the face of a massive four-year, $3.4 million offer from the ARU.
The Waratahs flyer earns an estimated $700,000 a season from his present deal, which expires after the World Cup in October.
But Tuqiri insists money is not his solitary concern, giving hope to NRL suitors who admit they cannot trump the ARU's fiscal power.
Tuqiri's business mentor Les Ross will meet the Roosters for a third time this week, and said the 27-year-old's asking price was not too exorbitant for elite footballing talent.
The NRL's marquee stars Andrew Johns, Darren Lockyer and Mark Gasnier all earn upwards of $600,000, with their contracts bolstered by sponsorship deals.
"League clubs can be very competitive. They have the money and the corporate resources to find the funds for Lote," Ross said.
"The clubs are aware of Lote's asking price and it's up to them to structure a deal within the capacity of their salary cap and sponsorship arrangements. To get to the negotiating table the league clubs would have to table something competitive to that on offer in union.
"But Lote does not expect to earn a million dollars just by running on to a football field. He's not a money-hungry individual. It will be a balance between his personal and family needs and being appropriately rewarded for his ability."
While the majority of NRL clubs would baulk at offering a base contract of $600,000, Tuqiri could feasibly secure $500,000 a season, then top up any deal with $50,000 in NRL-sanctioned third-party agreements.
Tuqiri would also be able to use his brand to capitalise on additional corporate opportunities -- potentially pushing his package beyond $600,000.
Speaking before departing for South Africa with the Waratahs, Tuqiri said if money was the over-riding factor, he would have already committed to the ARU until 2011.
"I have to be happy," he said.
"As footballers we live a pretty good life as it is, but there's no use chasing the cash if you aren't satisfied within yourself.
"I must admit I'm pretty confused.
"I like rugby, but there are attractions about league.
"The international scene has come a long way since I left -- you do get itchy feet from time to time."
Ross said the Titans and Souths had emerged as major players in the fight for Tuqiri's signature, and the Gold Coast was offering a centre spot in a bid to entice him.
"We're very interested in Lote and we'll be making a formal offer at the end of the month," Titans managing director Michael Searle said.
Asked if the Titans could afford $600,000 a season, Searle said: "It would be very hard to fit a player under the cap at that price . . . but we believe we offer some inducements, such as lifestyle and a return home, that could attract Lote."
One club unlikely to snare Tuqiri is the Storm, who re-signed former Queensland Origin custodian Billy Slater a fortnight ago.
"But I was very impressed with Peter Holmes a Court (Souths co-owner) and Michael Searle," Ross said. "I had lengthy meetings with both of them. They understand the culture of rugby league and the vision for Lote.
"When Lote returns, we'll sit down, put all the offers on the table and he'll make a call. The ace up the sleeve for the Queensland clubs is that he'd be relocating back home."
The Sunday Mail