St George Illawarra could emerge as a leading contender to recruit dual international Lote Tuqiri, after the club would not rule out a move to sign him yesterday.
Tuqiri is set to become a target of cashed-up Japanese and European rugby union clubs after he was sacked by the ARU on Tuesday night for an alleged code of conduct breach.
However, if he remains in Australia, Tuqiri may be enticed to join close friend and former team-mate Wendell Sailor and ex-coach Wayne Bennett at the Dragons.
I don't fear Fien challenge: Dean Young Full coverage of The St George Illawarra DragonsThe trio won a premiership together with Brisbane in 2001.
While the dust is yet to settle - with Tuqiri launching legal action against the ARU - Gold Coast Titans have sounded an interest in the former Kangaroos and Wallabies winger returning to league.
The 14 other NRL clubs have ruled out chasing the 29-year-old, but St George Illawarra chief executive Peter Doust last night said the club was yet to consider an attempt to lure Tuqiri.
It is believed top Dragons officials, including Bennett, will discuss whether they have room under the salary cap to make a significant offer to Tuqiri in the days after St George Illawarra's NRL clash with the Roosters at WIN Jubilee Oval tonight.
Declaring he would "love to see Lote in a Dragons jersey", Sailor - who has an option to extend his own Dragons contract into next season - said he had received a text message from Tuqiri asking for advice.
"I've tried to contact him as a mate ... (I received a) text message last night saying he would give me a call tomorrow (Thursday) to have a chat," Sailor said.
"I've been in contact with him over the last month because I know with someone like Lote, of his standard and ability, not to be playing at the highest level would frustrate him."
Sailor had his own ARU contract ripped up in 2006 for cocaine use, before being offered a lifeline by the Dragons at the end of a two-year ban.
Having played alongside Tuqiri for the NSW Waratahs and Wallabies in union, as well as the Kangaroos, Queensland and Broncos in league, Sailor said he was "shell-shocked" at the ARU decision.
"I suppose when you see a player wanting to take legal action against an employer, it's pretty serious," he said.
"Obviously they couldn't sort things out.
"I'm just dumbfounded because he's been a wonderful ambassador for rugby league and rugby union."
It was a boozy night with Sailor in Cape Town in 2005 before an early-morning drinking session with prop Matt Dunning in 2007 that earned Tuqiri a stern warning from ARU boss John O'Neill, consequently earning him the nickname "Last Chance Lote".
Sailor said it was hard to give advice to Tuqiri until he knew the full details of the matter.
"I know as much as you guys do," he said. "I just think it's one of those things, it's pretty personal.
"I think mine was self-inflicted so I had to pay a price.
"All I'd say (to Tuqiri) is: 'You are 29, stay strong, you know who your family and friends are through a pretty tough time'."
Sailor said Tuqiri would still have plenty of options available to him.
"People have got to understand this ... Lote Tuqiri is 29, he's at the peak of his powers, he could go to Japan rugby, French rugby, go back to the NRL," he said.
"I tell you now, I would love to see Lote in a Dragons jersey".
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