FORMER Australia dual international Lote Tuqiri is hoping to make his swansong on the global stage with Fiji at next year's Rugby League World Cup, the team's assistant coach Joe Rabele said yesterday.
Rabele said Tuqiri was among half a dozen current and former players from Australia's National Rugby League that the Pacific islanders hoped to field at the World Cup in Britain that starts in October next year.
The group includes retired Queensland great Petero Civoniceva, Melbourne Storm's Sisa Waqa, brothers Wes and Kevin Naiqama and Parramatta Eels fullback Jarryd Hayne.
Rabele said Tuqiri, 33, the highest profile player of the group, wanted to make a final appearance for the country of his birth as he approached the end of a career in which he represented Australia in both rugby union and rugby league.
"He wants to finish with Fiji and, at this age, with the injuries he has encountered, he will not be selected to play for Australia," Rabele told AFP.
"Lote will bring a lot of experience and will lift the morale of the team."
Hayne, just 24, still has a chance to add to his six Test caps for Australia. He played for Fiji at the 2008 World Cup, where the team made the semi-finals.