Pirate Lote braces for Deans flogging
Rupert Guinness | May 29, 2009
LOTE TUQIRI expects the Wallabies will be in for a "flogging" when they assemble for their first training camp of the year on Sunday, although their Barbarians clash comes just six days later.
And the winger plans to kick himself back into gear after a two-week break forced by the Waratahs' premature end to their Super 14 campaign, by playing club rugby tomorrow.
Tuqiri's appearance for West Harbour against Southern Districts at Forshaw Park will be his first since 2004, and his first time alongside fellow Wallaby and NSW back Timana Tahu at the club.
Tuqiri is not worried the Pirates match might leave him tired going into the Wallabies camp at Coogee, where he predicts coach Robbie Deans will drive his charges hard all week.
He believes his first game since the Waratahs beat the Lions in Johannesburg two weeks ago will sharpen his senses and match fitness.
It could also shorten his selection odds for the Barbarians game at the Sydney Football Stadium tomorrow week - especially if he and Tahu make a strong impact together.
Tuqiri and Tahu are two of seven players in the 29-man Wallabies squad who have elected to play club rugby this weekend.
Tuqiri said he had made the decision to play club rugby by himself, without Deans's input. But the battle for spots in the first Wallabies side of the year is still wide open, and the last thing players need is to go into a tense and hard camp short of the edge matches provide.
Tuqiri said his aim tomorrow would be to dust off the cobwebs. This week he resumed individual training with weights and sprint sessions.
"I haven't been dormant, but I haven't played or run a lot for a couple of weeks now," he said. "It would be good for me to get back out on the field. I did some training this week which was good, but nothing is quite like the game. And with the Barbarians coming up, you want to put yourself in the best possible … not shape, but where your body is used to playing again.
"We will probably get flogged at [Wallabies] training next week, but at least the body will be battle hardened if I am lucky enough to get called up and picked. We had two weeks [off]. It was disappointing not playing more footy, but it's good now that I have got the chance to play. I am just going in thinking about getting the legs to tick over and getting my body back into match condition."
Fate has dealt Tuqiri a kind hand. The Pirates, one of the more attacking and entertaining sides, have won their past five games.
The return of Tuqiri and Tahu should make for a good fit - for both the Pirates and themselves.
Tuqiri has spoken to coach Stu Woodhouse, but doesn't yet know where he will play or for how long.
"Myself and Timana [named at No.13] will be thrown in somewhere. I would say on the wing," Tuqiri said.
Of the other Wallabies appearances this weekend, one of the most interesting is Ben Alexander's planned game time for Eastwood against Gordon at Chatswood Oval on Sunday - the same day the Wallabies assemble in Coogee.
Three of the four props in the national squad are loose-heads, with Al Baxter being the tight-head specialist.
With Benn Robinson and Baxter likely to be the No.1 and No.3 props, it is imperative the Wallabies bench has a prop who can play both sides.
Alexander, who has experience at tight-head, seems poised to take that slot, as his time for the Woodies will be spent playing in that position.
WANT TO SEE A WALLABY THIS WEEKEND?
TOMORROW:
Sydney University v Manly, at University Oval No.1 (Dean Mumm, Syd Uni).
Randwick v Penrith at Coogee Oval (Josh Valentine, Drew Mitchell [likely], Stephen Hoiles *, Sekope Kepu*, Randwick).
Southern Districts v West Harbour at Forshaw Rugby Park (Lote Tuqiri, Timana Tahu, West Harbour; Nic Henderson*, Southern Districts).
Northern Suburbs v Parramatta at North Sydney Oval (Sam Norton-Knight*, Norths).
GPS v Souths (Brisbane) at GPS (Quade Cooper, Souths).
SUNDAY
Eastwood v Gordon at Chatswood Oval (Ben Alexander, Matt Dunning*, Eastwood).
* Wallabies not in current squad
OTHER SUPER 14 PLAYERS
Dave Dennis, Daniel Halangahu, Alfi Mafi, Tom Carter, Jeremy Tilse (Syd Uni); Patrick Phibbs, Matt Carraro (Randwick); Dan Palmer (Sth Dist); Ben Batger (Eastwood).
