17 Feb 2010

Tuqiri could play for West Tigers in opening round of NRL

6:09 am on 17 February 2010

The former Wallabies winger Lote Tuqiri could be back in Australia in time to play in the opening round of the National Rugby League.

Tuqiri's playing for the English premiership side Leicester where his contract expires at the end of March, even though the northern hemisphere rugby season runs until the end of May.

Wests Tigers chief executive Stephen Humphreys has asked Leicester to release Tuqiri two weeks early, which could see the 30-year-old in the side to meet Manly on March 15th.

Humphreys says Tuqiri is keen to begin the next phase of his career following his sacking by the Australian Rugby Union last year.

Tigers coach Tim Sheens said Tuqiri was most likely to play fullback this year.