Move over Lockyer, Sailor and Gregan, because Lote Tuqiri believes South Sydney’s potent backline is as good as any the dual international has played alongside in his decorated 16-year career.
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The veteran winger indicated that the likes of Rabbitohs young guns including Dylan Walker, Kirisome Auva’a and Alex Johnston could mix it with arguably some of the best backlines seen in either rugby code in recent years.
Fullback Greg Inglis is the only current representative player in the South Sydney backline, while halves pairing Adam Reynolds and Luke Keary are growing in confidence following captain John Sutton’s injury.
Tuqiri lined up alongside the likes of Darren Lockyer, Wendell Sailor, Tonie Carroll and Kevin Walters when the Broncos won their 2000 premiership. Three years later, he found himself on the wing with Sailor, Mat Rogers, Stephen Larkham and George Gregan when the Wallabies lost the 2003 World Cup final to England.
''I’m lucky enough to be playing with these boys,'' Tuqiri said. ''I’ve played in some really good backlines. This is definitely up there talent-wise.
''I’m here to instil confidence in them. They’ve already got that confidence and [I am there to encourage them] to showcase their own talent.
''The natural ability from one to seven is really good. They can hold their own in any team in the competition. It’s really good to be part of their growth as young men and footy players.''
Winger Johnston may have been only four when Tuqiri made his top grade debut for Brisbane in 1999 but the 19-year-old has already left a mark on Tuqiri. With 15 tries in 11 games, Tuqiri said Johnston is on track to become one of the best finishers in the game.
''You don’t want to box a bloke in to play a certain way,'' Tuqiri said. ''We haven’t done that this year. I don’t know if they’ve done that in the past but Dylan Walker is playing the way he plays, which is free and open.
''Alex Johnston is just a freak and is slowly becoming one of the best wingers in the comp. He is backing his own ability. It’s just me instilling confidence in them. Greg Inglis is just Greg Inglis. It’s good to be part of.
''I’m the eldest bloke in the comp and in 10 years they’ll still be running around. I’ll tell my boys that I played with that bloke and he is playing for Australia now.''
Inglis – who too has featured in star-studded backlines in representative matches and for his former club side Melbourne – backed Tuqiri’s appraisal of the talented South Sydney youth.
''We have a great mix of young guys in our backs,'' Inglis said. ''I’ve played in some really good sides. Seeing these kids running around, I don’t think I’ve ever been part of such young kids with such talent in a backline.''
Meanwhile, following a mid-season stint in the NSW Cup Tuqiri, 34, has recaptured some of his best form, carrying the ball for more than 100 metres in his past two games as he battles to retain his place ahead of the likes of Bryson Goodwin and Nathan Merritt.
Turiqi will line up on the wing when South Sydney play Brisbane on Thursday night.
As he moves closer to retirement, he still holds a burning desire to win a major title in any code since his first premiership success for the Broncos in 2000.
''At the time I thought I’d win two or three [premierships],'' Tuqiri said. ''I was really hungry to finish my way. Not to say I’m going to finish, I haven’t made that decision.
''We haven’t done anything yet but we are building to something. What that is, I don’t know.''
Best of the backs
Brisbane 2000 grand final backline: Darren Lockyer, Lote Tuqiri, Tonie Carroll, Michael De Vere, Wendell Sailor, Ben Ikin, Kevin Walters.
Australian Wallabies 2003 World Cup final backline: Mat Rogers, Wendell Sailor, Stirling Mortlock, Elton Flatley, Lote Tuqiri, Stephen Larkham, George Gregan.
South Sydney 2014 backline: Greg Inglis, Alex Johnston, Dylan Walker, Kirisome Auva’a, Lote Tuqiri, Luke Keary/John Sutton, Adam Reynolds.
