The South Sydney Rabbitohs have signed dual international Lote Tuqiri for the 2014 season today. Tuqiri, 34, brings with him a wealth of experience playing at the highest level in two football codes in the outside backs, having represented Australia in both Rugby League and Rugby Union over a 15-year professional sporting career. Tuqiri, who stands 191cm tall and weighs 106kg, has played 151 NRL matches since making his debut for the Brisbane Broncos in 1999, playing 99 matches for the Broncos and 52 matches for the Wests Tigers. Tuqiri has also played nine Rugby League Tests for the Kangaroos and three Tests for Fiji, as well as six State of Origin matches for Queensland. Tuqiri also represented the Australian Wallabies in Rugby Union in 67 Tests between 2003 and 2009, the Australian Sevens Rugby Union team at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, as well as 89 Super Rugby matches for the NSW Waratahs. He also played Rugby Union in Europe for the Leicester Tigers in England and Leinster in Ireland. Rabbitohs Head Coach Michael Maguire welcomes the experience Tuqiri brings to the squad. “Lote has played the game at the highest level for many years and the experience he will bring to our young backline will be invaluable,” Coach Maguire said. “He’s expressed a desire to continue to play top level Rugby League in our discussions and he will have a chance to be selected in our top 17 based on his performances as we head towards round one and the Roosters. “We’re looking forward to having him join the side for pre-season training and seeing the influence he can have on the young players we have in our squad.” Tuqiri is looking forward to joining the Rabbitohs. “I’m really excited to be back and to be part of a Club that’s on the way up”, Tuqiri said. “The Club has some very talented youngsters and some of the superstars of the game, and it’s exciting for me to be part of the Rabbitohs now.”

Date of Birth: 23 September 1979

Place of Birth: Korolevu, Fiji

Position: Wing

Height: 191cm

Weight: 106kg

Junior Clubs: Souths Sunnybank; Logan Brothers

Previous Clubs: Leinster Rugby Union (2013) 
                Wests Tigers NRL (2010-2013)
                Leicester Tigers Rugby Union (2009-10)
                NSW Waratahs Rugby Union (2003-09)
                Brisbane Broncos NRL (1999-2002)

Rep Honours: Nine Rugby League Tests for Australia (2001-02, 2010); Four Nations (2010); Kangaroo Tour (2001)
             Three Rugby League Tests for Fiji (2000 World Cup)
             Six State of Origin matches for Queensland (2001-02)
             67 Rugby Union Tests for Australia (2003-09);

NRL Debut: Broncos vs Sharks, ANZ Stadium Brisbane, 14 March 1999 (Rd 2)

NRL Games: 151 (99 for the Broncos; 52 for the Tigers)

NRL Points: 368 (from 83 tries and 18 goals)