Roosters Cashed Up and Signing Another Superstar

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.

Rugby league signed merchandise with Tuqiri's name on it will be sure to go up in value if he makes it back in the league. The deal will hinge on the Rooster's new coach Brian Smith agreement. It also means that the Roosters will be cutting Setaimata Sa and using the money from his contact to get Tuqiri on the team.

All of the negotiations are currently going well under the radar, with the Roosters even denying that they've been talking with Tuqiri or anyone on his management team. Rugby league memorabilia collectors and fans may just have to be patient to see this star player take the field once again as well as having the chance to get their hands on new gear with Tuqiri's name emblazoned on it.

Tuqiri is a fan favorite and the Roosters would definitely like to be able to add this star to their team. Right now it all comes down to whether the club will be able to make Tuqiri an offer which is too good to pass up. It currently appears that the Roosters are the only team in contention to sign Tuqiri, with the Bulldogs out of the running due to the increase in Brian Goodwin's contract and their signing of Junior Tia Kilifi and Mickey Paea. The Gold Coast Titans have announced that they've also decided not to pursue Tuqiri.

While all of this is going on, the rugby league Supreme Court is reviewing Tuqiri's expulsion from the league with lawyers from the league and Tuqiri's management both in favor of the dispute being resolved in an expedient manner. As for Tuqiri himself, he's been playing club rugby after taking three months away from the game.

Jerseys, shorts and balls are the most popular rugby league memorabilia, with rugby league signed gear being far more valuable. As every fan knows, rugby is a tough game and gear which has been worn during play tends to have a lot of visible wear and tear - something which makes it even more valuable in the minds of collectors.

The biggest prize of all to the rugby league memorabilia collector is gear which is signed by star players such as Lote Tuqiri, especially if this gear is known to have been used in an important game. Fans and rugby league memorabilia collectors alike are eagerly awaiting Tuqiri's return to the league.

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.

About the Author: