Lote Tuqiri: 'Lord only knows who that's supposed to be?'It's impossible not to chuckle at Lote Tuqiri. As we sit down, instantly my eyes are drawn to his perfectly groomed dreadlocks and warm greeting. It's absurd. He's huge, standing 6 ft 3, weighing in at a nudge over 16 stone, and what's more he can chase down 100m in somewhere short of 12 seconds. Cripes! He gave Tom Varndell nightmares for a year.
This is bloke that shoved a team-mate to the ground mid-game because he took a wrong option, not to mention making a fool of a Wallaby selector via a rather contentious phone-call. Greats are supposed to be a little rough around the edges. Even for a State of Origin all-star, whose trophy cabinet might look a little NRL-heavy.
Embracing fatherhood and excelling in nappy changing aren’t exactly accolades but the 64-times capped Wallaby tells us he is just as proud of his family as leaving defenders in his wake. Starring on a government-backed DVD for first-time families, is it better second time around? And how’s touring affecting him?