Wallabies winger Lote Tuqiri hopes to put last year's off-field headlines behind him and has predicted a big future for new Waratahs' team mate and fellow league convert Timana Tahu.

Tuqiri, Australian rugby's most successful league convert, returned to NSW training along with the Waratahs' other Wallabies.

The match-winning winger attracted the wrong type of headlines last year when he was suspended for two Tri Nations Tests and fined $20,000 following his failure to attend a Wallabies team medical and recovery session back in July and then testing above the team alcohol limit .

"You go through those things in life and hopefully come out better the other side and I've worked through that and tried to put it behind me," Tuqiri said.

He said he had already spoken to Tahu a couple of times and was enthusiastic about their potential partnership.

"He's looking pretty good, he will be really good for us, he's a natural footballer and he's got a footy brain," Tuqiri said.

"He's a big boy as well, so I think he will be well suited to the way we want to play this year."

Tahu is expected to line up in the centres, with outside centre likely to be his major position.

Tuqiri, who has also played the odd game at outside centre, felt he could be a beneficiary of Tahu's line-breaking ability and unselfish attitude.

"He can break the line and hopefully I can be there on his outside to score a few meat pies," Tuqiri said.

"He's not a very selfish player, so he's good to have in the side."

Tuqiri believed the Experimental Law Variations (ELV) would definitely open the game up a lot more.

Tahu apart, Tuqiri expected other Waratahs backs like winger Lachlan Turner and Kurtley Beale to perform well in the coming season.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP