Brad123
12-02-2004, 18:47
Don't think he is worth that really. Whats the aussie rugby union panacking about.
Tuesday, 10 February 2004:
World Cup star Lote Tuqiri will open contract negotiations this week with the Australian Rugby Union which are set to make him the highest paid rugby player in the country.
The classy NSW Waratah winger is in high demand from both rugby and rugby league after his stand-out performance with the Wallabies at last year's World Cup.
Tuqiri switched codes late in 2002 with the express aim of playing in the World Cup, and with only one season of rugby under his belt proved one of the finds of the tournament.
While he maintained a strong passion for league, the 24-year-old said the prospect of winning the 2007 Webb Ellis trophy in France was a strong incentive to continue in rugby.
"I'm keeping my options open but the World Cup was great and the thing that could keep me in the game is to go one better with the Wallabies in 2007," said Tuqiri at the NSW Super 12 season launch.
With his NSW contract also up at the end of the year, he said money alone wouldn't decide his future, despite the prospect of being one of the game's top earners.
"Hopefully by the end of negotiations that would be right, but it's just paper talk.
"I've got to be happy where I'm playing and I don't mind Sydney at all and am feeling pretty happy here."
After missing selection for Australia's opening two World Cup games, Tuqiri ousted veteran Joe Roff and went on to star in the quarter-final win over Scotland before tearing apart the All Blacks in the semi-final.
He said he felt the World Cup, with Australia losing the final to England, was over just as he was hitting his straps.
"I guess missing those first games made me hungry and it felt like the World Cup ended too soon.
"I've been putting it in at training and hopefully I'll be able to carry that through to this season."
The 24-year-old, whose bone-crunching defence is as potent as his fleet-footed attack, said consistency and creating opportunities for the Waratahs were some of his goals for this Super 12 season.
"Last year I was still learning a lot but I've got one year in the game now.
"I think the guys will be looking at me to do things, create things this year.
Tuesday, 10 February 2004:
World Cup star Lote Tuqiri will open contract negotiations this week with the Australian Rugby Union which are set to make him the highest paid rugby player in the country.
The classy NSW Waratah winger is in high demand from both rugby and rugby league after his stand-out performance with the Wallabies at last year's World Cup.
Tuqiri switched codes late in 2002 with the express aim of playing in the World Cup, and with only one season of rugby under his belt proved one of the finds of the tournament.
While he maintained a strong passion for league, the 24-year-old said the prospect of winning the 2007 Webb Ellis trophy in France was a strong incentive to continue in rugby.
"I'm keeping my options open but the World Cup was great and the thing that could keep me in the game is to go one better with the Wallabies in 2007," said Tuqiri at the NSW Super 12 season launch.
With his NSW contract also up at the end of the year, he said money alone wouldn't decide his future, despite the prospect of being one of the game's top earners.
"Hopefully by the end of negotiations that would be right, but it's just paper talk.
"I've got to be happy where I'm playing and I don't mind Sydney at all and am feeling pretty happy here."
After missing selection for Australia's opening two World Cup games, Tuqiri ousted veteran Joe Roff and went on to star in the quarter-final win over Scotland before tearing apart the All Blacks in the semi-final.
He said he felt the World Cup, with Australia losing the final to England, was over just as he was hitting his straps.
"I guess missing those first games made me hungry and it felt like the World Cup ended too soon.
"I've been putting it in at training and hopefully I'll be able to carry that through to this season."
The 24-year-old, whose bone-crunching defence is as potent as his fleet-footed attack, said consistency and creating opportunities for the Waratahs were some of his goals for this Super 12 season.
"Last year I was still learning a lot but I've got one year in the game now.
"I think the guys will be looking at me to do things, create things this year.