Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Sydney Roosters Aim To Sign Tuqiri

By Byron Riley

Rugby league memorabilia collectors have a lot to be excited about right now. The Sydney Roosters are set to sign on Lote Tuqiri, the former Wallaby player. The Roosters plan to make a sizeable offer to Tuqiri to induce him to make the move to the team for the upcoming season. While he likely won't be making quite as much as before, it's still an offer he'll be certain to carefully consider after losing his contract and being booted from the rugby league.

If Tuqiri accepts the Roosters' offer, the value of rugby league signed merchandise bearing the player's name is certain to greatly increase. The deal looks likely, though it does hinge on a few factors - new Roosters coach Brian Smith's assent and if the team drops Setaimata Sa's contract. Collectors sadly won't be seeing any West Tigers jerseys or other Tigers-related rugby league memorabilia with Tuqiri's name, since the Tigers have dropped out of negotiations following Tuqiri's announcement that he had no intention of signing with the club.

There wont be any rugby league memorabilia with Tuqiri's name on the back of a West Tigers jersey because the Tigers have dropped out of contention for the star after Tuqiri's handlers made it clear that he had no interest in the club.

Unfortunately for rugby league memorabilia collectors, it doesn't seem that there will be any West Tigers jerseys or other memorabilia with Tuqiri's name on it, as the club has decided to stop pursuing the player after his management made it clear he was unwilling to sign on with the team.

The Roosters would certainly benefit from the association because of the star's major crowd pulling power. It just leaves a matter of whether or not the team can put together a good enough offer to snare Tuqiri. Other league teams appear to be out of the running. The Bulldogs can not consider the addition since they have increased Brian Goodwin's contract and also signed both Mickey Paea and Junior Tia Kilifi. Gold Coast also said they would pass on trying to get Turqiri to the Titans.

In the meantime, Turqiri's case is still being reviewed by the leagues Supreme Court and lawyers from both sides are arguing for changes in the dispute. Turqiri himself has been playing club rugby after a three month break

The biggest rugby league memorabilia are balls, jerseys and shorts. Having rugby league signed gear makes it worth a whole lot more. Rugby is a rough game so most of the gear that has been used in game play shows the tears and stains that make it look authentic. And that is where the real value is. Of course, the best is getting signed gear from big name players like Turqiri.

And if the jersey or ball can be documented as coming from a major game that makes it even better. So rugby league memorabilia collectors keep your fingers crossed that Turqiri comes back to the league. He would be a valuable asset to the Rooster's lineup and we would all benefit from getting to see his outstanding play again.

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