All of the talk in the football world today is revolving around Deadline Day but as far as rugby is concerned, Leinster could be about to make a pretty massive signing of their own.
The Blues have been linked with veteran winger Lote Tuqiri, who played international rugby league and rugby union for Australia, in recent weeks following speculation that he could return to rugby union having turned out for rugby league outfit Wests Tigers in the NRL for the last three years.
Leinster have room for one more overseas player in their squad at the moment and when asked about the possibility of Tuqiri coming to Dublin earlier today, Leinster coach Richie Murphy didn’t rule it out.
“There’s no real update there. We heard that (link) as well,” Murphy is quoted as saying in the Irish Times.
“Obviously something has been said about him coming back and playing from league. We’re looking at numerous options from down around that area. He’s not ruled out but he’s definitely not ruled in either.”
While that is far from confirmation that Leinster will go ahead with the Tuqiri move, it certainly raises the possibility of Tuqiri turning out in a blue jersey, where he would be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Isa Nacewa, Rocky Elsom and Brad Thorn, southern hemisphere imports who all made a significant impact during their time with the province.
Tuqiri has made 67 appearances for the Wallabies and scored 30 tries and has already experienced rugby on this side of the world having played with the Leicester Tigers for a season in 2009/10.
Tuqiri turns 34 this month so he’s not exactly a young man but if he can score a few tries and produce tackles like the one below on a regular basis, then he could be a hit at the RDS if he does make the move.
