Waratahs find themselves in a whole Lote trouble
Greg Growden | July 4, 2009
THE cash-strapped Waratahs, who have just lost their biggest drawcard, Lote Tuqiri, will have to search overseas for attacking players to bolster their dwindling back-line stocks next season.
The NSW Rugby Union has endorsed the Australian Rugby Union's stance in sacking Tuqiri this week, following an investigation into a breach of Wallabies team protocol, which is understood to revolve around a recent incident at the team hotel.
However, the NSWRU is concerned Tuqiri's departure may hit it hard on the field and the balance sheet. Due to the NSWRU confronting an anticipated financial loss for the current year, Waratahs officials have recently been forced to undergo a widespread cost-cutting exercise to keep the organisation buoyant.
The loss of Tuqiri does not dramatically ease their salary bill, because most of his salary was paid by the ARU.
As NSWRU chairman Ed Zemancheff told the Herald yesterday: "We've had to cut back at the NSWRU and if I go any further we go into cartilage and bone.
"This will mean the Waratahs having a restricted player list next season. Due to the financial situation, we won't be going next year with the full complement of contracted professional players. It will be less than the number we're entitled to. It's becoming a really big issue for us. And losing Lote has an impact both on and off the field for us.
"We're executing a whole lot of strategies at the moment to soften the [financial] blow. It wasn't a great year this season, but it won't be a disaster. It could have been worse. Next year will be really tough, because we will have one less home game.
"Lote's departure has come out of the blue and we are looking at the options. Like everyone, we don't have much money, but we will have to find someone at an appropriate level to replace him. Nonetheless, Lote is going to be a hard act to follow."
The NSWRU, which relies heavily on the home gate to bolster its finances, knows that Tuqiri lures thousands of spectators to their matches and he was often the star of their promotional campaigns.
There is also the danger of the Waratahs becoming less competitive without Tuqiri, which also lowers the team's crowd appeal, especially with doubts whether can they can adequately cover his loss.
Waratahs coach Chris Hickey said yesterday he was searching for two outside backs and hoping to convince the NSWRU board he can have at least a 29-man squad.
The Waratahs depth in the wing department is not overflowing, especially as Drew Mitchell was recruited from the Western Force to take over the fullback spot, left vacant by Sam Norton-Knight's departure. Mitchell may now be forced to accompany Lachie Turner on the wings, with Kurtley Beale instead used at No.15. But if the Waratahs suffer widespread back-line injuries, they will be caught well short.
"It's disappointing to lose Lote and we're still getting our head around the fact he won't be here," Hickey said. "We have a bit of flexibility, but for the balance of the squad we believed we needed one more back to give us the coverage we needed. We may finish up looking at one experienced player and a young up-and-comer.
"In Australia, most of the contracting is now done and dusted, and there isn't too many options there. We are always receiving inquiries from overseas from players, so we may have to look at that."
Tuqiri yesterday revealed on Twitter that he was weighing up whether to return to rugby league or play rugby overseas. "Don't know how long all this legal football will take so got to look beyond. OS Rugby or Rugby League???," he posted.
Tuqiri wrote that he had left Sydney on Thursday night.
Meanwhile, there is still a chance Reds five-eighth Berrick Barnes may be lured to Sydney.
"He would be a great asset for the Waratahs. But we want a player who wants to be here," Hickey said.
http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/n...e#contentSwap1
We will miss Lote Tuqiri at the Waratahs: Captain Phil Waugh
By Iain Payten
July 04, 2009 .New South Wales Waratahs captain Phil Waugh says Australian rugby has lost a good man in Lote Tuqiri and NSW will struggle to replace him.
Waugh paid tribute to Tuqiri as the axed Wallaby winger confirmed from a Brisbane hideaway that a return to rugby league was a definite option in his future, along with overseas rugby.
The ARU's decision to abruptly terminate Tuqiri's lucrative contract this week caught almost everyone by surprise, including his NSW and Australian teammates.
ARU boss John O'Neill said on Thursday that NSW Rugby officials were kept in the loop about the Tuqiri matter, but said they agreed with the decision to terminate his contract.
But it is believed NSW had little say in events and have now been left scrambling to find replacement options given recruitment windows in the northern hemisphere are now effectively closed.
Waugh, who is on a week's break from Wallabies duties, said he knew nothing of the circumstances behind Tuqiri's departure but the Waratahs captain was quick to praise the 29-year-old's contribution to NSW Rugby in the past seven seasons - on and off the field.
"He is a huge loss to Australian rugby, but in particular to the Waratahs," Waugh said.
"In the past 18 months, the amount that he's grown not just as a person but as a leader among the Waratahs was significant. He looked after young blokes in the backline like Kurtley (Beale), Rob Horne, Lachie Turner - all these guys coming through.
"He has done a great job. It's a huge hole to fill. It can't be underestimated how big a hole that is for NSW rugby."
Waugh said Tuqiri's value to rugby was not just in his on-field brilliance, but his contributions behind the scene.
"It is more than him just being a great player," Waugh said.
"I have had several comments this week about how good is he with kids and community rugby, and getting out there and spreading the word of rugby union. He is obviously idolised by a lot of kids. He always has time for whoever to have a chat.
"He's a good guy and it's sad it has ended the way it has."
Test wing Drew Mitchell is joining the Tahs next year - but at fullback - leaving NSW needing to find a quality winger to replace Tuqiri.
Any top-line flyer of a similar standard to Tuqiri is likely to have been snapped up already, given most clubs worldwide have now finalised their squads.
"To try to replace him at any time would be difficult, at this time of year for next season it is going to even harder," Waugh said.
NSW Rugby boss Jim L'Estrange said the Waratahs coaching staff would be scouting possible talent at Shute Shield fixtures today.
Tuqiri was in Brisbane with family on Friday but used his Twitter site to give updates on his future. With no idea how long legal proceedings against the ARU will go, Tuqiri said he'd have to now "look beyond".
"OS Rugby or Rugby League???" he posted.
Tuqiri later updated he would do a training session as "a good stress outlet" and warned his "focus mitts better look out".
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...002381,00.html
