Will he or won't he - The Lote
Tuqiri Story

There are a lot of ironies in the Greatest Game of All.

In the 1994 Grand Final contested by Canterbury and Canberra, Raiders captain Mal Meninga came up with a very controversial play in the early stages when he hit Bulldogs captain Terry Lamb in a front-on tackle, bringing his heavily strapped forearm swiftly up into Lamb's jaw. The hit sent Lamb to Disney Land along with any hope Canterbury had of winning that day.

It was a sickening blow, and one that left the blue and white army crying foul. But, how does that Midnight Oil song go?

Short memory.

In 1988 Terry Lamb, playing in his second Grand Final, made an almost identical hit on Balmain five-eighth Ellery Hanley. The impact was felt in exactly the same way as Meninga's hit on Lamb six years later, leaving the Tiger's English import and chief playmaker to stumble about the field in a daze.

There are more subtle ones of course, like Jamie Ainscough whilst playing in the UK, nearly losing his arm after a tooth was found lodged in it and an infection set in. It was about a week away from amputation. That arm is no stranger to controversy either, being the one that belted Melbourne winger Craig Smith in the 1999 Grand Final which resulted in a penalty try being awarded to the Storm two minutes from full-time, dashing the hopes of Dragons fans everywhere.

Likewise, I find the circumstances surrounding Lote Tuqiri's current situation particularly ironic.

In 2002 Tuqiri, by then an established and respected first grader, made his Australian debut against Great Britain at the Sydney Football Stadium. Much debate surrounded the star winger's selection as he was amid an intense battle between the Brisbane Broncos and the Australian Rugby Union for his services. Most had already resigned themselves to the fact that Tuqiri would cross codes, but he held off announcing his decision until a week after the Test.

A bit cheeky you might say?

The Australian Rugby League showed faith in him and selected him on the wing outside Shaun Timmins. I'm sure his probable defection crossed their minds, but they didn't whinge or whine because quite simply, Tuqiri was the best man for the job.

So it is with interest that I read last week, and again today, how the Australian Rugby Union is placing pressure on Tuqiri to make up his mind over his playing future as soon as possible. This is obviously in response to rumours of him being courted by the Broncos and Sydney Roosters given that the representative season is fast approaching and I'm sure they'd prefer to have someone on the flanks who's committed to the game he's playing.

All of this is being played out with the possible return to the Cronulla Sharks by former winger and point scoring freak Mat Rogers lingering in the background. The classy and versatile back is said to be adverse to the travel associated with Super 12 rugby, which is often for long stretches, given his young family.

And now this morning, NRL CEO David Gallop has come out and openly stated that he hopes both Tuqiri and Rogers return to the League fold, fuelling the discussions over the star pairing's future.

I saw something the day Terry Lamb copped that hit from Meninga, he paused for a moment. I think his mind was somehow cast immediately back to 1988 when he was doing it to Hanley. Perhaps a vision of Ellery appeared before him dressed in a dark cape holding a sickle? I can't confirm that, but in a way I admire Lamb that day. He was aware of the irony. And he was a big enough man to cop it on the chin, literally. But that's how Terry Lamb was, because he's a genuine champion of the game. No argument. He wasn't able to win that day, but he didn't go out and cry to anyone who would listen about the hit. Instead, he picked himself up the next year and led his team to the 1995 premiership.

There is no doubt in anyone's mind that Tuqiri is one of the finest athletes in either code. He possesses size, strength, ball skills, speed to burn and a killer step. And regardless of whether he switches back to League or not, the predicament which is presenting itself right now over his services is diametrically opposed to where it was two years ago.

So, my question to the ARU is: "How does it feel?" You're not dealing with it real well are you? Because from where I'm sitting it's pretty funny watching you lot in your Armani suits squirming about.

Must have a short memory, eh?