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Aussie Tuqiri returns to face country of his birth

Lote Tuqiri of the Waratahs and Australia makes a pass as members of the Sharks try to tackle him during round two of the Super 14 in Durban, South Africa, on Feb. 9. PHOTO: AFP

A refreshed Lote Tuqiri is looking forward to resuming his international rugby union career against the nation he once captained at rugby league when Australia take on Fiji tomorrow.

Tuqiri led Fiji for the 2000 rugby league World Cup, when he was a rising star with the Brisbane Broncos, but this time he will play against the nation of his birth in his first Test for the Wallabies this year.

During his absence from the team, he seriously considered lucrative offers to return to league and he has spent the last four weeks on a special fitness program designed to enhance his speed.

Tuqiri said it had been frustrating -- but beneficial -- to have a delayed start to a long campaign that takes in the Tri-nations and World Cup.

"It is frustrating not to get on the field, but I had to look at it objectively and think that it is doing me good," he said. "We worked on different things, not only speed, and there was a rest element there to not tire me out. Hopefully I can get a few games under my belt and show what I have. I think it is going to hold me in good stead for the rest of the year."

Tuqiri's move to the right wing allows Drew Mitchell to remain on the left.

"I don't think it is that much different ... I think Knuckles [coach John Connolly] wants to put me there because I carry the ball in my right hand, so we will see how that goes," Tuqiri said.

Tuqiri said he was excited about playing against Fiji.

"It will feel strange. I'm first and foremost an Australian now, but still proud of my Fijian heritage," he said.
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