Tuqiri scores after four minutes in NRL return for Wests Tigers

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Tuqiri scores after four minutes in NRL return for Wests Tigers
Topic Started: Mar 15 2010, 02:56 AM (24 Views)
stacey	Mar 15 2010, 02:56 AM Post #1
Administrator Posts: 2,571 Group: Admins Member #1 Joined: May 22, 2009	* By Dean Ritchie * From: The Daily Telegraph * March 16, 2010 12:00AM Welcome back...Wests Tigers winger Lote Tuquri crosses for a try on his return to the NRL. Picture: Brett Costello Source: The Daily Telegraph HE ACHIEVED everything in rugby league before becoming a hero in rugby union. There were NRL premierships, State of Origins, Kangaroo tours and Wallaby Tests. But at 7.07pm yesterday, Lote Tuqiri roared back into rugby league with a moment he and Wests Tigers fans will long remember. Out of rugby league for 2725 days, Tuqiri scored a try after just four minutes of the Monday night match against Manly at the SFS. Unbelievably, it was with his first touch of the ball. Tuqiri celebrated by raising his right arm in triumph as he was swamped by delighted teammates, some he has known for just days. "It was a dream start. I couldn't have asked for anything more," said Tuqiri, who received the pass from centre Chris Lawrence. "It was awesome. I honestly couldn't believe it. "We practised that play down the short side all week and it came off. I juggled it. I don't think I would have caught it in the 80th minute. "Luckily I was still fresh. I'm not complaining. There is still plenty to build on. It's good to be back." Tuqiri was still as damaging late in the game. He made a dynamic dash down the left flank late in the match. From there, Tigers forward Gareth Ellis scored to give his side a dramatic 26-22 win. The Sea Eagles looked like ruining Tuqiri's night when they led 20-4 at halftime, only to be run down. Tuqiri made a few errors but, overall, his performance was splendid given he had just four days to prepare for his return to rugby league. "I made a boo-boo when I chip-kicked on the third tackle," Tuqiri said. "I thought I was still playing rugby union. What was I doing? "Nothing came of it. "I was stuffed in the warm-up. I'm not used to that." Tuqiri must have been delighted to leave the field to a standing ovation from Wests Tigers fans. He bowed in appreciation as the fans chanted "Lote, Lote, Lote". "He was jumping around before the game telling me what to do and what he wanted," Wests Tigers five-eighth Benji Marshall said. "And telling me to make him look good. He's a bit like Wendell [Sailor] - Wendell coming back with dreads, just not the big arse." Tuqiri admitted to being nervous last night given his extended time out of the game. His last game was for Brisbane against the Sydney Roosters way back on September 28, 2002. On that day, Tuqiri played against Jason Cayless, his Wests Tigers teammate last night. Tuqiri received a hearty cheer from Wests Tigers fans when he appeared in a gold T-shirt at 6.30pm to warm-up with his new teammates. Each time Tuqiri neared the boundary fence, Tigers fans roared in support at their newest recruit. "I thought he handled it really well," Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens said. "He scored with his first touch, it was a pretty good effort." Tigers skipper Robbie Farah added: "He was pretty nervous, the big fella, before his first game. "It [the pass to score his try] was a tough ball to catch. He juggled it. It got us off to a good start." Manly coach Des Hasler also paid tribute to Tuqiri. "He scored a try, he'd be happy with that. He is a good athlete and was on the end of some good shifts. He did his job," Hasler said. Register to comment



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