THIS is going back 18 years, when the oldest player in the NRL arrived at the Broncos as a teenager.
Not keen on training, is how Wayne Bennett puts it.
Back then, Tuqiri came without the tickets that usually go with most talented youngsters.
The legendary talent scout Cyril Connell had spotted him playing juniors at Logan City.
And while Bennett never questioned old Cyril’s ability to identify footballers, more than once he questioned if Lote had the hunger to carve out a career in rugby league.
Bennett recalls He wasn’t some kind of standout, not at all.
“I think he was playing under 19s for us in the Super League year (1997) and we played him centres and fullback.
“Some days he looked like he was interested and other days he looked like he had no interest at all.”
So one day Bennett got the boys together and took them for a run, to a place aptly named The Gap.
And as they all came charging up the hill, sure enough Bennett spotted Lote walking near the back.
Bennett jumped out from behind the bushes and started getting into him.
It was hilarious. Poor Lote just about turned white. The boys still talk about it.
But right now, Bennett says, he can’t help but marvel at the fact that the kid who used to hate training so much is still around.
Still running up every hill they put in front of him.
Not only holding his own at 35 years of age, but going as strong as ever.
He’s played for the Brisbane Broncos, Wests Tigers, and had club rugby stints in England and Ireland.
All up, Lote Tuqiri has worn 12 different jerseys as football’s ultimate journeyman, picking up accolades such as a Rugby World Cup final, NRL grand finals, State of Origins and Super 14 finals.
It hasn’t been all glitz and glamour along his 17-year trip across the sporting landscape.
Less than one year ago Tuqiri was playing in front of 100 or so fans for North Sydney in the NSW Cup.
Before that he got a taste of Sydney club rugby with West Harbour in the Shute Shield.
At 35, Tuqiri is back on the grand stage as a rejuvenated winger for South Sydney in the NRL grand final against Canterbury at ANZ Stadium last year.
Tuqiri has worn sky blue, green, gold, black, dark blue, red, white, gold and maroon. Even he admits he’s picked up an array of jerseys.
“Heaps. I have fair jumper collection in my wardrobe,” he said.
“I don’t know what it is but probably I don’t mind a new adventure. I like adventures. I am an adventurous sort of a bloke.
“That sort of tickles my fancy. I like travelling and everything else. I have been lucky enough to do that in my career and get paid for it at the same time.
“I am just real proud and happy to have played in all those jerseys. Hopefully I have done those jerseys proud.
“I guess there is probably more of that to come when I finish my career.
“But it’s still going at the moment. It’s been a funny old journey.”
Big, fast and strong, Tuqiri will be remembered as one of the finest wingers of the modern era despite spells in two different codes around the world.
“Leinster, Leicester Tigers, it’s been a great ride,” he said.
“You say do you have any regrets? Maybe one or two but I have lived life and I think I have lived a pretty good career.
“I have gone where I wanted to go. Done what I wanted to do and been happy doing it.
“The career’s not over yet. I have another week and who knows what happens after that.
“I have had some good longevity,” he said.
“There were a few years there where I didn’t think I would play again after breaking an arm every year. That was the last two years of my contract at the Tigers.
“That really dented me, not confidence-wise, but getting on the field and playing top-level stuff again.
“I am proud of myself for getting up and doing this. Also proud of the support that I have had to do that as well.”
Souths superstar Greg Inglis offered high praise for Tuqiri.
“He is great to have around the club, the boys love him.
“He has level-head on him and is a remarkable human being,” Inglis said. “The boys really enjoy having him here.”
