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THE PRESS, Christchurch Friday, September 26, 2014 SPORT B11 NETBALL RUGBY LEAGUE ‘Old man’ Tuqiri still has a whole Lote to give Thompson Rupert Guinness ●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●● ● Lote Tuqiri is high in the air above Jorge Taufua with his hands on the ball from a cross kick and moments from landing to score a focuses on sensational try for the Rabbitohs. It is 26 minutes into the qualify- ing final between the Rabbitohs and Manly at Allianz Stadium. The crowd can’t believe what they are seeing: Tuqiri, the oldest provincial player in the NRL bedazzling like most thought he could no more. Even Tuqiri – who since turned 35 – can’t quite believe it until after he scores, when he picks himself up off the ground, looks up and captaincy watches it replayed. There is still flash and Brendon Egan AT A GLANCE brilliance in Tuqiri after all. More [email protected] importantly, there is still a place ●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●● ● for him on the big stage of NRL Anna Thompson’s international Christchurch squad footy that early this year looked netball career is at a crossroads. Shooters: Julianna Naoupu, Ellen beyond him as he fought for a way The 28-year-old Cantabrian Halpenny, Sophia Fenwick. back while playing for the North missed selection in the 19-strong Midcourters: Anna Thompson, Sydney Bears before paltry crowds Silver Ferns squad for the Gemma Hazeldine, Hayley in the NSW Cup. 2014-2015 season. Saunders, Hannah Poff, Chloe While Tuqiri lauds the Bears, Instead of lining up against Williamson. Defenders: Louise he is candid about his disappoint- Australia in the Constellation Cup Thayer, Jane Watson, Lucy Gunn, ment in being relegated down the next week, as she did last year, Olivia Coughlan. pecking order so soon after joining Thompson will captain Christ- the Rabbitohs. He signed with the church at the national provincial club for one year after a three- tournament, beginning in Auck- curse. Either way, Thompson month deal with Irish rugby club land on Monday. knows she will have to produce a Leinster that came after NRL side Flying high: Rabbitohs wing Lote Tuqiri fought his way back from lower division league to be one game away from the NRL grand final. Photo: GETTY IMAGES Thompson, who can cover goal standout campaign for the Tactix Wests Tigers did not keep him on. attack and wing attack, attended in the trans-Tasman league next No one likes being cut, cer- doesn’t come backwards’.’’ the Silver Fern trials this month year, if she is to force her way back tainly not a dual international Part of that After that Tuqiri dismissed but always faced an uphill battle. in for the Netball World Cup in such as Tuqiri whose only NRL job is to instil further talk of him exploring life With Australian-born shooter Sydney in August. title win was in 2000 at the Broncos as a forward. Ameliaranne Wells eligible for Thompson felt she performed under coach Wayne Bennett. confidence within Since winning his place back in New Zealand and Bailey Mes her best at the Silver Fern trials ‘‘I was gutted,’’ Tuqiri says the Rabbitohs’ top side, Tuqiri has NRL 2014 the younger returning from injury, there are and said the intensity during in- when first told by Rabbitohs coach impressed. One game away from a enough options at goal attack, out- squad games was fierce. Michael Maguire after round four players of their grand final, he is indebted to the side of Jodi Brown and Maria The main message coming from that he had been dropped. ‘‘I prob- Rabbitohs, saying they ‘‘have PLAYOFFSROUNDROUN - WEEKD ONEON THREE Tutaia. Thompson also lags behind the national coaches was she ably didn’t like him for a week.’’ own ability. given me a new lease of life’’. Liana Leota, Grace Rasmussen, needed to be more consistent But Tuqiri realised the way Lote Tuqiri Tuqiri knows he is not as fast as he RABBITOHSRA ROOSTERSRS Camilla Lees and Shannon across the 60 minutes and avoid back was in his hands. was but what he lacks in speed, he v Francois at wing attack. quiet patches. ‘‘I was probably a bit down recalls Bennett playing him off the makes up for in experience. Venue: ANZ Stadium When asked if she thought she Thompson is excited to rep- about running out for the Bears – I bench in the forwards at the ‘‘I think that is a part of why had played the last of her 13 tests resent the Christchurch Netball am not going to lie,’’ he said ahead Broncos in ‘‘five or six games’’. they brought me on at the Sky Sport 2: 9.55pm tonight for the Silver Ferns, Thompson Centre at next week’s nationals, of tonight’s preliminary final Playing for the Wallabies in Rabbitohs,’’ he says. Referees:R Gerard Sutton, Ben Cummins was non-committal. teaming up with many of her past against the Roosters in Sydney. their 2003 World Cup game against ‘‘Part of that job is to instil con- TAB:T Rabbitohs $1.70, Roosters $2.05 ‘‘I haven’t come to a conclusion and present Tactix team-mates. ‘‘Part of the excitement of Romania, coach Eddie Jones sent fidence within the younger players on that. You never know what Christchurch will be one of the playing big-time footy is going out him on from the bench to play on of their own ability and what they could happen.’’ favourites for the title, with nine to a big crowd. But [at the Bears] I the flank in the last 10 minutes. can do around the organisation, Given the Silver Ferns’ poor players with trans-Tasman league couldn’t afford to lower my head or From a pick and drive two how they handle this time of the PANTHERSPA v BULLDOGSGS record against Australia over the experience. lower my standards.’’ metres out, Tuqiri even scored his year and the pressures of footy on past year and the inability of some Christchurch, coached by His path back to first grade by first try in Test rugby. and off the field.’’ Venue: ANZ Stadium players to lock down their place in Tania Hoffman, have been round 14 was not just hard but ‘‘I had to pack in the scrum,’’ He knows the end of his career Sky Sport 2: 9.55pm tomorrow night the squad, Thompson has a glim- grouped with Wellington and Bay experimental; Rabbitohs assistant Tuqiri recalls. ‘‘I didn’t know what is nearing, but right now he is Referees:R mer of hope. of Plenty at the 14-team tourna- coach Wayne Collins even I was doing. I just said, ‘What do I undecided on his future. ‘‘I just Shayne Hayne, Gavin Badgerr She can play several positions, ment. The final will be contested suggested Tuqiri play in the do?’ They said, ‘Bind behind his want to live the moment, mate.’’ TAB: Bulldogs $1.70, Panthers $2.05 which can be a blessing and a next Friday. forwards. That is not a first. Tuqiri arse. 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