Leicester sign winger Tuqiri
Australian winger Lote Tuqiri has signed for Leicester Tigers
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Monday, 02, Nov 2009 10:54
By Alistair Potter.
Leicester Tigers have announced the signing of Australian international wing Lote Tuqiri.
The 30-year-old dual-code international will join the club this week and begin training with a view to making his debut later this month.
Tuqiri had his contract with the Australian Rugby Union terminated in July, effectively freeing him up to play outside his home country without fear of jeopardising his international career, which now appears to be over.
And Tigers head coach Richard Cockerill believes Australia's loss is his side's gain as they look to retain their Guinness Premiership title.
"To have someone of Lote's undoubted class available and interested in coming to Leicester is excellent news," he said.
"Lote has had interest from a lot of clubs around Europe, and the fact that he chose to come here says a lot about him.
"We're very happy he has chosen Leicester Tigers."
Tuqiri, who began his professional rugby career in the 13-man code with Brisbane Broncos, switched to rugby union in 2002 to join New South Wales Waratahs.
He has also made 67 Test appearances for Australia, scoring 31 tries, but he said he is looking forward to challenging himself in the English domestic game.
"I've played in England a number of times, in league and union, and I'm looking forward to getting to work at Leicester Tigers," he said.
"This is a successful club, and that is one of the main reasons for coming here.
"The club is always in the frame to win things and I still think I have a lot to achieve in rugby. I still have the ambition to play at the highest level and I still have the competitive edge.
"This is a new challenge, coming to a new league in a new country, and it is one I am really looking forward to.
"There are a lot of good players here and now I'm just looking forward to getting started."
Tuqiri's sacking by Australia is still shrouded in mystery, although reports from down under suggest it is related to a late-night trip to a casino in the lead-up to a June Test match against Italy in Melbourne.
Australia coach Robbie Deans hinted in an interview last week that he believed the controversy surrounding the sacking of the Fijian-born wing had contributed to the team's poor results in the Tri-Nations this year.