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June 28, 2009
Shunned winger Lote Tuqiri says he is committed to the Wallabies and described rumours he was contemplating walking out on rugby as "laughable".
Speculation intensified after Wallabies coach Robbie Deans extended the flyer's international exile to a third consecutive Test match.
Tuqiri (below), Australian rugby's $1.2 million man, has had to come to terms with being banished to Sydney club rugby with West Harbour.
The veteran of 67 Tests agonised over whether to return to the NRL in 2007, but insists he has no desire to seek a release from the Australian Rugby Union as he sets his sights on the 2011 World Cup.
"Believe me when I say my future remains firmly in rugby union," Tuqiri says today in his Sydney newspaper column.
"I've had journalists ringing me over the past couple of weeks asking if I'm ready to chuck in the towel and go back to league.
"It's not an option. It's laughable.
"I'm happy in rugby, I'm signed until 2011 and I'm focused on putting my best foot forward for the NSW Waratahs and the Wallabies."
Tuqiri revealed a heart-to-heart with Wayne Bennett, his former coach at the Broncos, had bolstered his confidence.
Deans has assured Tuqiri a Test reprieve is on the horizon.
"Of course it's hard missing out on Test match rugby, but kicking stones isn't going to get me back in the Wallabies side," he said.
Meanwhile, Berrick Barnes will tackle his Super 14 fate this week before the Tri Nations tournament.
Barnes is off contract with the Queensland Reds and will take time out after the Test against France in Sydney to decide his future but it is believed he is considering an offer from the Brumbies.
"I wanted to get these Tests out of the way and look at what I'm doing after that," Barnes said.
The Sunday Mail (Qld)
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-23217,00.html