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.