FORMER WALLABY WING Lote Tuqiri is now free to join Leinster after being released from his contract with Australian rugby league side, Wests Tigers.
The province yesterday confirmed that an initial three-month contract agreement with Tuqiri, as a stand-in for Zane Kirchner, as imminent.
Today, the Tigers released a statement saying, Tuqiri had already flown out of Sydney having been “granted a release from the club to allow the dual international to take up an opportunity to play rugby union in Ireland.”
In the statement, the winger thanked former coach Tim Sheens for bringing him back to the 13-a-side game in 2010, before a series of injuries limited his impact.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time at Wests Tigers and will take with me a lot of special memories as well as many friendships I’ve made with the players and staff,’’” Tuqiri said
“My first year in 2010 was incredible. To come back from rugby and to achieve what I did was a great feeling. It was a great side to be a part of it but unfortunately we fell one game short of the grand final.”