NRL: Tuqiri rediscovers joy of playing

Lote Tuqiri's turnaround follows a long and testing stint on the sidelines. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Everyone likes to feel wanted, and Lote Tuqiri is very much in demand.

Wests Tigers remain in talks to secure an early release for Tuqiri to switch back to the NRL from English rugby club Leicester, where the dual international says he has rediscovered his love for being a professional footballer.

"I just want to go back and enjoy my playing days," Tuqiri told AAP at Leicester training on Wednesday.

"I've signed a three-year (NRL) contract and I want to enjoy playing professional sport. I've started that playing over. I'm now enjoying myself."

Tuqiri's turnaround follows a long and testing stint on the sidelines as he was left out of the Wallabies squad for Australia's first four internationals in 2009 and was subsequently sacked by the ARU.

He joined Leicester on a short-term contract, due to finish at the end of next month unless Wests convince the English side to let him go ahead of their NRL season opener against Manly on March 15.

Having made his Leicester debut in November, Tuqiri has flourished in a team that is sitting on top of the English rugby premiership table.

"It's been really good to come to a club where they're a quite successful club and to come into an environment where the team's going well and, from my point of view, there's not a lot of egos or political games going on, that's been quite refreshing," he said.

"For me, the main thing is enjoying my rugby again because before I came I wasn't playing for a good couple of months, I was only training.

"I don't know if I was depressed, but I was down on myself. I'm the kind of guy who wants to play, so to come here and get that opportunity has been great."

Confidentiality clauses have kept the reasons behind Tuqiri's ARU dismissal from being discussed after the two parties reached a settlement.

The 30-year-old says he has no regrets.

"I was happy with how I handled myself and my legal team stuck to our guns and we took it as far as we could and we reached a settlement in mediation and we were happy with that outcome," he said.

"I made my decision based looking after myself and my family and I think that was the best thing for us to do. You don't want to stay on where you're not wanted, do you."

In terms of his future at Wests, Tuqiri just wants to maintain his new-found enjoyment of playing - and he doesn't mind where on the field that is.

Coach Tim Sheens appears to favour the former Brisbane flyer for the fullback position filled ably by Tim Moltzen last season.

Tuqiri is content to see how he plays alongside his new team-mates and leave the decision in Sheens' hands.

While he recognises much has changed over his eight-year absence from the 13-man game, Tuqiri remains confident in his abilities.

"I still think I've got a fair bit to offer," he said.

"I'd like to challenge myself against those superstars that are running around in rugby league these days in Australia."

All going well, does he see more representative honours with Queensland and the Kangaroos in his future?

"I've got to go back first and start playing good rugby league. Everything will flow on from that."

- AAP