Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
Leicester have completed the signing of former Wallaby winger Lote Tuqiri, a newspaper confirmed on Monday.
The 30-year-old Australian, who was capped 67 times in the gold jersey, joins Welford Road at a critical time with several back-three members including Alesana Tuilagi currently out injured.
Tuqiri's central contract was cancelled by the Australia Rugby union in July for an alleged breach of a code of conduct, but Head Coach Richard Cockerill believes the capture of such a high-profile player is a massive coup for the club.
"He is a world-class player, there is no doubt about that," he said, speaking to the Leicester Mercury.
"He has had his alleged disciplinary problems in Australia but, by all accounts, he is a good bloke.
"He is quality and that is what we need at the minute. We have been fortunate to get him.
"He chose to come to us instead of other clubs that were after his services and that reflects well on the set-up we have here.
"It's a good sign that we are able to attract world-class players like him.
"He has played in 67 Tests and has played Rugby League for Australia too.
"He can play full-back and outside centre as well as on the wing.
"With Geordan Murphy's injury being long-term, it's a great signing for us. But, like everyone, he will have to fight for his place."
Meanwhile, Tuqiri revealed that his decision not to join other rumoured teams interested in him over recent months came down to the winning mentality that Leicester exudes.
"I didn't just want to go and be in a place where you get forgotten about and it becomes more of a retirement package than anything else," he said.
"I still have that competitive edge in me and Leicester are a successful club that wins championships.
"I decided that I wanted to play in a competitive team and play competitive rugby. Tigers have given me the chance to do that and, hopefully, I can repay them with some good rugby.
"There are some really good players here as well. It's a challenge that I am totally looking forward to.
"I haven't played rugby for a couple of months now and you have to start somewhere. With a really good club like this, it makes it even better."
Whether Tuqiri will feature against South Africa this coming Friday at remains unclear, but the player's eagerness to start his new venture was clear to see.
"You can't ask for a better group of players, certainly in club rugby," he added.
"I can't wait to get started, lace the boots up on Monday and hope that Richard Cockerill puts me in somewhere very soon."
***********************
This may be an unpopular view - but I have enjoyed watching him for the Tahs and the Wallabies.
I wish him well.
The 30-year-old Australian, who was capped 67 times in the gold jersey, joins Welford Road at a critical time with several back-three members including Alesana Tuilagi currently out injured.
Tuqiri's central contract was cancelled by the Australia Rugby union in July for an alleged breach of a code of conduct, but Head Coach Richard Cockerill believes the capture of such a high-profile player is a massive coup for the club.
"He is a world-class player, there is no doubt about that," he said, speaking to the Leicester Mercury.
"He has had his alleged disciplinary problems in Australia but, by all accounts, he is a good bloke.
"He is quality and that is what we need at the minute. We have been fortunate to get him.
"He chose to come to us instead of other clubs that were after his services and that reflects well on the set-up we have here.
"It's a good sign that we are able to attract world-class players like him.
"He has played in 67 Tests and has played Rugby League for Australia too.
"He can play full-back and outside centre as well as on the wing.
"With Geordan Murphy's injury being long-term, it's a great signing for us. But, like everyone, he will have to fight for his place."
Meanwhile, Tuqiri revealed that his decision not to join other rumoured teams interested in him over recent months came down to the winning mentality that Leicester exudes.
"I didn't just want to go and be in a place where you get forgotten about and it becomes more of a retirement package than anything else," he said.
"I still have that competitive edge in me and Leicester are a successful club that wins championships.
"I decided that I wanted to play in a competitive team and play competitive rugby. Tigers have given me the chance to do that and, hopefully, I can repay them with some good rugby.
"There are some really good players here as well. It's a challenge that I am totally looking forward to.
"I haven't played rugby for a couple of months now and you have to start somewhere. With a really good club like this, it makes it even better."
Whether Tuqiri will feature against South Africa this coming Friday at remains unclear, but the player's eagerness to start his new venture was clear to see.
"You can't ask for a better group of players, certainly in club rugby," he added.
"I can't wait to get started, lace the boots up on Monday and hope that Richard Cockerill puts me in somewhere very soon."
***********************
This may be an unpopular view - but I have enjoyed watching him for the Tahs and the Wallabies.
I wish him well.
