Wallabies winger Lote Tuqiri has turned down a $2.5 million offer from French rugby club Bayonne, but says he will consider joining the lucrative French competition in the future.
Tuqiri, who is contracted to the Australian Rugby Union until 2011 after switching from rugby league in 2002, turned down a three-year deal from the club that features former league international Craig Gower and Wallabies prop Rodney Blake.
After NRL stars Mark Gasnier and Sonny Bill Williams both signed on with French rugby clubs this year, Tuqiri says he is interested in a move to France later in his career.
“I have been approached by Bayonne,” Tuqiri told The Australian.
“I told them I wasn’t interested now, but maybe later. It’s a very interesting situation over in France at the moment.”
Tuqiri could play in France as a local because of his Fijian ancestry.
The Waratahs flyer expects Williams to be a success in rugby, but is not sure where the rugby league second-rower will line up for his new club Toulon.
“It will be interesting to see how Sonny Bill goes,” Tuqiri said.
“I think he will make it, but I’m not sure what position he will play.”
