News

Quality over quantity for Tuqiri

Thursday 27th March 2008

On the ball: Lote Tuqiri wants better service from his team-mates

Waratahs' winger Lote Tuqiri is hoping for more quality ball to turn around his team's ranking as the second-worst attacking side in this year's Super 14 tournament.

The under-utilised number eleven says it's the quality of ball - rather than the quantity - that is restricting the Waratahs' outside backs from fully imposing themselves on games.

Despite possessing the likes of Tuqiri and speedy utility Lachlan Turner, along with the talented Kurtley Beale at fly-half, the Waratahs have scored just 83 points this season.

In five matches, the Sydney-based outfit are yet to secure a bonus point for scoring four or more tries.

Tuqiri and company have had little opportunity to shine, but the dreadlocked winger refuses to blame a lack of possession for the paucity of tries.

"I can't complain about a lack of ball. We're playing a certain style and you've got to try and stick with that," Tuqiri told Sportal.

"We are getting the ball but just using it better is the main thing.

"We need to get players around and going forward rather than getting back-foot ball a lot of the time.

"If we rectify that then I think we'll be right."

Tuqiri continues to believe the Waratahs can make a noise this season despite slipping to seventh on the table following the Good Friday loss to the Crusaders last week.

"There's always a bit of a logjam between five and nine on the competition table in the Super 14 and we're in there in that mix," said Tuqiri.

"If we can get out of that and break out and get up high I think we can do something.

"We've got to go out there and win a few games and pick up some bonus points along the way.

"It's not panic stations just yet. We've got to try and stay positive and play positive footy and use the players that we do have in the team really well."