Oracle of Delphi
KC Hill
Paladin
Craig HillTuqiri's Crying Game...
January 18th 2008 22:40
Obviously worried that he hadn't had any headlines in the past month, Lotta Tequila has had this to say about Chris Latham leaving.
from The Courier Mail
Crying? There's no crying in Rugby.
image courtesy of random Google search
damn...Larkham, Gregan and now Latham. Might have to do some work now...
from The Courier Mail
LOTE Tuqiri says it would be a crying shame if Chris Latham's move to England this year triggered an exodus of Wallabies to cashed-up overseas clubs.
Crying? There's no crying in Rugby.
Latham yesterday accepted a rich two-season deal with Worcester after rejecting Australian Rugby Union's incentive-based offer.
Many South African and New Zealand internationals, including All Blacks Dougie Howlett, Rico Gear, Luke McAlister, Carl Hayman and Chris Jack have opted for the money and moved abroad and Tuqiri hopes Australians don't follow suit.
"It (Latham's move) might start a trend," Tuqiri said.
"There's a few guys coming off contract and I don't know how their negotiations are going with the franchises and the ARU. It will be interesting.
"If people want to play hardball, I guess there is that option to go overseas.
"A few world-class players (including Wallabies captain Stirling Mortlock next season) are coming off contract and it will be interesting to see what happens.
"You don't want to see those guys go prematurely."
Tuqiri said new Wallabies coach Robbie Deans would face a difficult time replacing Latham after he presumably plays his last Test in September against the All Blacks in Brisbane.
"Latho's been a bloody great servant," he said.
"He always shows heart and passion and drive when it comes to pulling on that green and gold."
Tuqiri didn't doubt Latham could get better after watching the 2006 John Eales medallist excelled at the recent World Cup in France, despite missing the domestic campaign after a knee reconstruction.
"There are certainly some young guys coming through the ranks. I guess we'll pick up the slack somewhere," he said.
"But he's a massive loss. He showed in the World Cup, that he's one of the best No. 15s in the world."
Tuqiri has discussed an interest in playing fullback with the NSW Waratahs' new backs coach Todd Louden.
'I actually wouldn't mind," the star winger said.
"Playing in the back three . . . it's pretty much the same; you're sort of going across field and working as a pendulum and things like that.
"I'd obviously have to pick up my kicking skills, but I wouldn't mind having a crack at it."
Many South African and New Zealand internationals, including All Blacks Dougie Howlett, Rico Gear, Luke McAlister, Carl Hayman and Chris Jack have opted for the money and moved abroad and Tuqiri hopes Australians don't follow suit.
"It (Latham's move) might start a trend," Tuqiri said.
"There's a few guys coming off contract and I don't know how their negotiations are going with the franchises and the ARU. It will be interesting.
"If people want to play hardball, I guess there is that option to go overseas.
"A few world-class players (including Wallabies captain Stirling Mortlock next season) are coming off contract and it will be interesting to see what happens.
"You don't want to see those guys go prematurely."
Tuqiri said new Wallabies coach Robbie Deans would face a difficult time replacing Latham after he presumably plays his last Test in September against the All Blacks in Brisbane.
"Latho's been a bloody great servant," he said.
"He always shows heart and passion and drive when it comes to pulling on that green and gold."
Tuqiri didn't doubt Latham could get better after watching the 2006 John Eales medallist excelled at the recent World Cup in France, despite missing the domestic campaign after a knee reconstruction.
"There are certainly some young guys coming through the ranks. I guess we'll pick up the slack somewhere," he said.
"But he's a massive loss. He showed in the World Cup, that he's one of the best No. 15s in the world."
Tuqiri has discussed an interest in playing fullback with the NSW Waratahs' new backs coach Todd Louden.
'I actually wouldn't mind," the star winger said.
"Playing in the back three . . . it's pretty much the same; you're sort of going across field and working as a pendulum and things like that.
"I'd obviously have to pick up my kicking skills, but I wouldn't mind having a crack at it."
image courtesy of random Google search
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