Update: 1:55PM HE may have switched codes, but Lote Tuqiri never stopped watching rugby league. And when he did tune in to the NRL, the Wests Tigers invariably caught the eye.
Tuqiri was a fan of the way they played the game. When his mind wandered, he could see himself on the end of the Tigers backline, taking flick passes from Benji Marshall or playing off Robbie Farah.
His imagination would run wild. In reality though, Tuqiri never imagined he would play for anyone other than the Brisbane Broncos, the club he represented with distinction before accepting a lucrative deal from the ARU at the end of 2002.
That was until former teammate Wendell Sailor returned to the NRL with St George Illawarra and his ex-coach Wayne Bennett left the Broncos to join the Dragons. Suddenly all bets were off.
"I watched rugby league all the time, always have," Tuqiri told The Weekend Australian from England, where he has been playing rugby union with Leicester since being sacked by the Australian Rugby Union late last year.
"You ask why the Tigers?
I guess they play a brand of rugby league I don't mind watching. I think that I could enjoy playing on the end, or somewhere in that backline.
"I probably thought I wouldn't play at another club other than the Broncos in the NRL. Then you see guys like Wendell do it last year, it gives you a bit of confidence.
"Obviously Benny moved to Saints as well. He was a big part of that club in Brisbane. You think if those guys can step out of the shadow of the Broncos, it won't be too hard.
"Why rugby league? I have always had an affinity with the game. It was the first game I played as a professional. It's obviously not the Broncos, but the Tigers are a team I don't mind watching. I could have stayed overseas, but I guess I still wanted to challenge myself. I don't think I am a used-up product yet.
"I want to see how I go in rugby league. What better team to do that with than the Tigers?"
If Tuqiri is relishing the thought of finding his feet in the Tigers backline, the feeling is mutual. A club that went within one win of the finals last year has been given a genuine shot of optimism thanks to his imminent arrival.
Before switching codes at the end of 2002, Tuqiri was one of the NRL's most damaging players.
At the age of 30, his legs have slowed but he remains a fearful proposition when in full flight. Once a Queensland and Australian winger, the Tigers have earmarked Tuqiri to play fullback.
Those with long memories will recall a youthful Tuqiri playing fullback for Fiji in the 2000 rugby league World Cup. He single-handedly tore apart the all-conquering Kangaroos.
"I think to myself I still can cut it at that level. I am not here to be a bystander. You can't be in the NRL."
He thinks he can cut it at representative level as well.
"Playing in a Queensland jersey -- they're some of the best memories I have in either code," Tuqiri said.
"You ask any player playing in the NRL -- what do they want to play? They want to play State of Origin footy. Touch wood I will be playing there.
"That's certainly what I would like to do, but it's not an immediate goal in my mind. If I am playing well enough you would love to be considered."
He will be, according to Queensland selector Des Morris.
"I think he's a great player," Morris said. "He's certainly played well for Queensland in the past. We will certainly keep an eye on him. If he's the man for the job, he will obviously get the nod at that time."
Tuqiri expects to be in a Tigers jersey by the end of March. If the NRL club and Leicester can nut out a deal, he could be back for the start of the season.
Is he a better player than the barnstorming winger who left rugby league eight years ago to play for the Wallabies and travel the world?
"I hope so," Tuqiri said. "The proof will be in the pudding. I certainly think so but the game has certainly changed since I played my last game of rugby (league)in 2002."