The Rugby Fobcast

“Kosta” Lote “Steve Austin 6 million Dollar Man” Tuqiri stays with Rugby

March 13, 2007 on 2:48 am | In Rugby Fobcast News |

Yes, if anything, the rugby Union boys know how to give nicknames & it is only appropriate that Lote, whom when he signed his last contract was nicked named after the great Australian / Russian boxer “Kostya” as in Kostya Lote, which is quite clever really, and now nicked named “Steve Austin” The 6 Million Dollar Man, which I guess explains itself, are fair enough.

Alot has been said in regards to the last 2 months about Lotes decision to stay with rugby or head back to his beloved Rugby League, with his current form not being where he would want it, & all the extra media attention upon him, I was sure he was going to go back to league.

Now lets not kid ourselves here, if all thing were equal both Rugby Union & League had equal money to spend, there would be no doubt that he would of gone back to league, so should this be more about Lote taking the money then actually the ARU thinking they had actually won this current code bashing battle.

Their is no blaming Lote, on trying to secure the highest price possible for his services.

He is easily 1 of the best wingers in the world & has the profile to grow the game here in Australia & promote the game internationally, so his so called 6 million dollar deal is at this moment his market value.

Lote also is under no illusions that this could be his last major contract, & if the current times are to go by, although the ARU have trying to close this pandoras box they have opened, the market value of the marque players are just going to go up & up.

Million dollar Matt started the trend, Kurtley Beale will want his fair share once he has established himself, if we look to the current crop of Rugby League players coming through the ranks like, Greg Inglis & Jonothan Thurston, these are players that any of the Australian Super 14 teams would fight for.

So I for one am so happy for Lote & his young family (I know his agents happy) that he has finalised his contract for what he is worth, and he can now concentrate on the goals he has placed for himself, which is good news for Waratahs & Wallaby supporters.