Tuqiri to move to fullback

Tuqiri to move to fullback
By Iain Payten in Cape Town Tuqiri to move to fullback | The Daily Telegraph

May 08, 2008 12:00am

WARATAHS coach Ewen McKenzie is poised to spring another major selection gamble by shifting Lote Tuqiri to fullback for the all-important clash with the Stormers.

In NSW's boldest tactical move of the season, Tuqiri has been training in the custodian role this week with the Waratahs looking to boost strikepower from the backfield.

With rookie Matt Carraro and Lachie Turner on the wings, Sam Norton-Knight looks likely to be relegated back to the bench.

Expected alongside him when coach Ewen McKenzie names his team tonight is Timana Tahu, whose explosive ball-running danger late in the game is hoped to be something of a secret weapon against the Stormers.

There are concerns over prop Al Baxter, however, who left the training paddock to get scans on a potentially fractured left eye socket after getting elbowed in a contact drill. With Matt Dunning already injured, NSW may have to fly a replacement tighthead prop over today if scans reveal a fracture.

Norton-Knight received a nasty head knock against the Bulls and has been recuperating this week after temporarily losing vision in his left eye, but the rangy back may have paid a price for his performance in the 16-13 loss in Pretoria.

Though Tuqiri's kicking game is only rated solid at best, McKenzie said it was no deterrent to "looking at the option'' of the Wallabies star moving back in what is tipped to be a fast-paced game of running rugby.

"You wouldn't say he's a natural but we actually want to do less kicks, so we're just looking at our options there,'' McKenzie said.

Though sounding like a smoke and mirrors ploy to match wits with crafty Stormers opposite Rassie Erasmus, Tuqiri's shift can also serve to shore up the Waratahs' defensive line.

In his run-on debut for NSW, Carraro will get job of marking the Stormers' 110kg Fijian-born wing Sireli Naqelevuki.