Tuqiri prepares for NRL return - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Tuqiri prepares for NRL return

By Valkerie Baynes 24/02/2010 06:57:51 AM Comments (0)

Lote Tuqiri believes he's in a win-win situation as his union and league clubs negotiate on his latest switch of codes.

Wests Tigers remain in talks with English premiership side Leicester Tigers to secure an early release for Tuqiri to move back to the NRL from English rugby.

In the meantime, the dual international winger doesn't mind whether he heads back to Australia in early or late March.

"Both parties are still talking," Tuqiri told AAP at Leicester training on Tuesday.

"At the moment I'm still leaving at the end of March when my contract runs out but both parties are still talking. I don't mind what happens either way.

"It's not like I'm dying to get out of here. The boys tell me it's going to come into the heart of the season when the ground firms up. That would be good to stay for, but it will also be good to go back. It's a win-win for me."

Wests Tigers have asked Leicester to bring an early end to Tuqiri's contract, which expires at the end of March even though the northern hemisphere season runs until the end of May.

The NRL club believes the best case scenario would have the 30-year-old return just prior to round one.

Leicester are out of Europe's Heineken Cup and the Anglo-Welsh LV Cup competition, leaving only the English premiership where they are top of the table.

That means they have only two fixtures in March falling within Tuqiri's contract period, against London Irish on March 6 and Worcester Warriors on March 27.

Should Tuqiri be released after the first of those games, it would be a tough ask to leave England and join his new club in time to face Manly on March 15.

Tuqiri scored the opening try as Leicester showed their premiership credentials by thrashing Gloucester 33-11 to move five points clear at the top on Saturday.

Brought to you by AAP AAP © 2024 AAP

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