Lote Tuqiri could make Origin return

BY ADRIAN PROSZENKO

Exclusive photos in the Sydney Morning Herald suggest Lote Tuqiri is on the verge of a Queensland call-up.

The Maroons convened a secret meeting in the heart of enemy territory, at iconic Sydney watering hole Bondi Icebergs, on Wednesday night.

And just one game into his NRL return, prodigal son Tuqiri was invited into the bonding session in the clearest indication he will return to the Queensland line-up after a nine-year absence.

Asked about Tuqiri's presence, a coy Maroons coach Mal Meninga replied: ''He's a Queenslander, that's why he was invited.''

The State of Origin series might be more than two months away but the Queenslanders have already begun plotting NSW's downfall in an attempt to win an unprecedented fifth straight series victory.

Meninga invited his coaching staff and about 20 current or prospective NSW-based Maroons to the council of war meeting. They were joined by Penrith coach Matthew Elliott and Maroons and St George Illawarra assistant Adrian Lam.

Meninga was reticent about speaking about the meeting, describing it as a ''private affair''.

''There was nothing sinister, it was just a get-together for Queensland players, like we do every year,'' he said. ''Simple as that.

''It's something we do. We're Queenslanders. We get together.''

Former Queensland centre Mark Coyne was more effusive when quizzed about the gathering. Coyne organised the gathering and when quizzed said it was intended to give Sydney-based Queenslanders a chance to feel part of the Maroons family.

''It can be a lonely place for a Queenslander,'' Coyne said. ''It's a bit ironic that we were at such a landmark [Sydney] place but we didn't read too much into it.

''We had a bit of a yarn about what Mal's looking for in terms of the selection process and they're reminded that they are considered valuable as part of the Maroons contingent down here. It's all about making the boys feel like there's a whole fraternity of Queenslanders down in Sydney, that they're not on their own.''

Maroons certainties including Roosters back-rower Nate Myles, South Sydney enforcer Michael Crocker and Bulldogs prop Ben Hannant mixed with Origin hopefuls such as Chris Sandow, David Taylor and Matt Ballin.

Passionate Queensland fan Michael Caton, star of the hit movie The Castle, was also in attendance.

The players, who abstained from alcohol, arrived at 6.15pm and drew stumps about 9pm.

Coyne said he was excited by the prospect of seeing Tuqiri in a Maroons jumper again.

''He's obviously been there before and would love to get back in there again,'' Coyne said.

''There's been injury with Hodgo [Justin Hodges] and with Karmichael [Hunt] going, there are going to be opportunities.

''It would be fantastic to see a guy like Lote get an opportunity again.''

Asked if he was surprised that his NSW counterparts had not organised similar functions, Coyne said: ''That's a question you need to ask them.

''But we don't really care what they do, to tell the truth.

''They can do what they want, as far as we're concerned.''

Legendary NSW hooker Ben Elias applauded Queensland's pre-series gathering and urged Blues officials to follow suit.

''Good on them, that's why they've held the shield for the past four years,'' Elias said.

''Our State of Origin camp should be preparing now.

''Right now we need to put out an SOS to [NSW coach] Craig Bellamy and to NSW - prepare now.

''The Queenslanders are gathering their talent and players in the heart of the city of Sydney. We've got to be one step ahead of them.

''You can argue we are only at the start of round two and that we're already talking about State of Origin, but if we want that trophy back we have to do something different.

''We need to be the first ones to flick the light on and the last ones to flick it off.''

- © Fairfax NZ News